INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Education Foundation of Indian River County, in partnership with the School District of Indian River County, launched a new professional development program this year to benefit 15 middle and high school math teachers. The program is called, “Algebra Counts 2.”
This researched-based professional development program provided teachers the tools to effectively deliver instruction and increase math scores of their students. The year-long program provided shoulder to shoulder coaching, mentoring, modeling, and lesson study. All of this led to improved school cultures, increased mathematics proficiency, and greater support for the teaching, leading, and learning process.
The number one priority of this program is to provide teachers with new skills to perpetuate the passing rate of Algebra I End of Course Exams. Passing the Algebra I end-of-course exam is a requirement to obtain a high school diploma in the State of Florida.
The program aims to lead to on-going sustainability and impact every single student in the district.
This year’s program was funded by local philanthropists in the amount of $59,500. Supporters include the United Way of Indian River County, Trudie Rainone, the Jake Owen Foundation, and Impact 100.
A check for $55,100 was presented to the School Board for the expansion of the program at the April 26, 2016 school board meeting. The following funders have stepped up to generously fund the coming 2016-2017 school year: Quail Valley Charities, $19,500;
The School District Foundation Matching Grant Program, $20,000; Indian River Golf Club Foundation, $7,800; Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program, $7,800.
To learn more about this program and how the Education Foundation of Indian River County increases the community’s investment in schools to advance student achievement, visit: www.edfoundationirc.org. Watch the video presented to the School Board at https://youtu.be/6V9i6BPutcE.