Funded by two grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Leading with Algebra Project was a partnership between DePaul University and Chicago Public Schools to 1) support the implementatin of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics in the pivotal area of algebra and 2) provide professional development for and build a network of 8th grade algebra teachers across Chicago Public Schools.
The first two years of the project focused on professional development to support 8th grade algebra teachers in making the transition to the more rigorous standards of the Common Core. Approximately 150 teachers met four times a year in professional learning community meetings across the city to increase their familiarity with the Common Core and enhance their pedagogy. The second two years of the project continued the professional learning community meetings with an increased emphasis on building networking among the teachers, who are frequently the only algebra teachers in their schools. We created a quarterly newsletter which included challenging math problems, Math Talk ideas, teacher spotlights, updates from PARCC/CPS/Department of Math, relevant reading suggestions, unique tools and insights that met new demands made on teachers by the Common Core, and enhancements for innovative math classrooms.
Visit the Leading with Algebra website.