ACCLAIM (Appalachian Collaborative Center for Learning, Assessment, and Instruction in Mathematics) is building a mathematics infrastructure in the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia, providing a model and resources for other isolated, rural, poverty-stricken areas across the country. ACCLAIM partners include the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Marshall University, Ohio University, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and West Virginia University.
The two primary goals of ACCLAIM in these Appalachian regions are to (1) build mathematics capacity and expertise through advanced degree programs in mathematics, job-embedded professional development for middle and high school mathematics, and research that connects mathematics and rural education, and (2) improve the quality of mathematics teacher education programs and mathematics teaching at the middle and high school levels in these Appalachian regions through the development of collaborative networks and innovative delivery systems.
ACCLAIM, directed by Bill Bush at the University of Louisville and Vena Long at the University of Tennessee, addresses these goals through three specific, but connected, initiatives
- Capacity Building Initiative
- Teacher Development Initiative
- Research and Publications Initiative
The Capacity Building Initiative (CBI) is centered at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is co-directed by Vena Long (UT) and Carl Lee (UK). The CBI offers a doctoral program in Mathematics Education with courses from the five doctoral granting institutions in ACCLAIM. Cohorts begin every two to three years, with the first cohort in 2002 and the second in 2004 being centered in the Appalachian area. Subsequent cohorts will add students from other rural regions of the four states and eventually from other rural areas across the country. The cohorts gather each summer at one of the partner institutions for five weeks of intensive study. During the academic year distance education courses are provided so that teachers do not have to leave their positions. The doctoral program has four strands: mathematics, mathematics education, rural education, and research. The CBI also offers Leadership Institutes for rural mathematics educators.
The Teacher Development Initiative (TDI) is centered at the Marshall University and is directed by Tom Klein and Karen Mitchell . ACCLAIM brings together mathematics and teacher education faculty from teacher education programs across Appalachia to identify course and program needs. The TDI sponsors and organizes the development of undergraduate courses that will be available through on-line or telelink networks to pre-service teachers in the programs. ACCLAIM also established AAMTE (Appalachian Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators), a professional organization that brings together postsecondary faculty and classroom teachers interested in mathematics teacher education. Through this organization, faculty and teachers come together through regional conferences and focus groups to discuss and identify needs, concerns, weaknesses, and strengths of the mathematics teacher education programs. The primary vehicle for professional development activity through ACCLAIM are mathematics professional development teams (PDTs) in Appalachian middle and high schools. PDTs will identify existing professional development experiences or adopt new strategies to meet those needs. Each PDT will be linked to one or more teacher preparation institutions in the area.
The Research and Publications Initiative is centered at Ohio University and is directed by Jim Schultz and Craig Howley. This initiative stimulates and supports research activities conducted by faculty, doctoral and post-doctoral students, classroom teachers, and pre-service teachers; oversees and coordinates data collection and analysis efforts conducted within the other initiatives; publishes or disseminates “best practices” that emanate from ACCLAIM; and serves as a clearinghouse of research findings for faculty, teachers, administrators, and policy makers.