Sid W. Richardson Foundation Supports Mathworks Algebra Program

 

The Sid W. Richardson Foundation has announced a three-year grant of $108,000 to support the Mathworks Algebra Program (MAP) at Miller Middle School in San Marcos.  This grant award joins the KDK-Harman Foundation’s support to fully fund MAP for the next three school years, enabling all students to complete Algebra I by the end of 8^th grade or earlier.  The partnership between the school district, Texas State University, and the two foundations establishes a model for what can be accomplished to provide algebra skills that lead to higher-level math courses and college readiness.

 

The Mathworks Algebra Program includes teacher professional development, family math nights, and tutoring by Texas State undergraduates.   The Mathworks school-year curriculum carefully weaves in algebraic concepts throughout the three middle school grades, giving students a strong pre-algebra experience before taking Algebra I.

 

Pete Geren, President of the Richardson Foundation said, “We are impressed with the impact of Mathworks programs to date, and are particularly interested in the teacher professional development of the Mathworks Algebra Program.  One of the key focal points for our investments in education is the development of high quality teachers, especially in the math and sciences, for the state of Texas.  This Mathworks program has the potential to become a model for the entire state.”

 

Mark Eads, San Marcos CISD superintendent added, “As a district, we want to be pioneers and implement best practices in mathematics education.  The Mathworks Algebra Program aligns with our vision of having all students career and college ready by the time they graduate from high school.  Having all students do early algebra during middle school is the key to opening doors of opportunities in the future for them to pursue degrees and advanced jobs in the math, science, engineering, and technology fields.”

 

Dr. Max Warshauer, Director of Mathworks, said, “We are excited and honored to receive the Richardson Foundation’s support to complete the funding for the core elements of the Mathworks Algebra Program at Miller.  With MAP, we will be providing students critical mathematical building blocks during the middle school years, shaping their skills, attitudes, and beliefs about what they can accomplish in math. This will be one of the first programs in Texas where all students will complete Algebra I by grade 8 or earlier, and will establish San Marcos as one of the leading districts for mathematics education in the state.”

This latest grant from the Richardson Foundation builds on past awards the Fort Worth-based foundation has granted to Mathworks.  These include support for a mentoring program that placed undergraduates, Richardson Fellows, into local middle schools to help young students in doing mathematics, as well as support for the Honors Summer Math Camp, a six-week residential program for talented high school students from across the state.

 

About Mathworks
Mathworks is a center for innovation in mathematics education at Texas State University-San Marcos. Mathworks' mission is to develop model programs and self-sustaining learning communities that engage Texas K-12 students from all backgrounds in doing mathematics at a high level.  Core programs include summer math camps, teacher training, and math curriculum research and development.  

 

Sid W. Richardson established his foundation in 1947. Although his interests reached beyond Texas and his personal contacts were worldwide, he retained his utmost concern for the people of his home state. For this reason, he provided in the Foundation's charter that all grants be awarded to recipients within the state of Texas.