Being a Fellow
Teaching Math and Science
The Need for Math and Science Teachers in Texas Schools
Consider these facts:
- In 2008, nearly 40 percent of students failed to meet math or science standards on the State of Texas Grade 10 TAKS. This is over 100,000 students in the 10th grade alone. African American, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students had even lower college readiness rates 1.
- Math achievement in the U.S. is improving, but not enough: only about 1 in 4 elementary and middle school students is proficient in math. Only 1 in 6 is proficient at the high school level.
- More than half of all African American and Latino 4th graders in the U.S. perform below the basic level. By grade 12, more than half of Latino students and nearly 70% of African American students perform below basic.
- Nationally, 61% of all middle grade students are taught mathematics by teachers who did not themselves study enough mathematics to earn even a minor in math2).
- In 1970, the U.S. produced more than 50 percent of the world's science and engineering doctorates. If current trends continue, by 2010, the U.S. will produce only about 15 percent of the world's science and engineering PhDs3.
Although Texas schools have made impressive gains in their math and science education, there is still a dire need for additional math and science teachers who can use their content knowledge to impact student achievement.
What Do Math Fellows and Science Fellows Teach?
Texas Teaching Fellows teach math at the middle grades and high school levels in classes ranging from sixth through twelfth grade. In high school, Fellows might teach algebra I or II, geometry, or pre-calculus. In middle grades (6-8), most Fellows teach lessons grounded in number sense, pre-algebra and algebra, basic geometry, and statistics and probability. Fellows are charged with ensuring their students master the content knowledge for their particular grade level as stipulated by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
Science Fellows may teach biology, chemistry, physics, integrated physics and chemistry, or environmental science at the high school level. At the middle school level, most science Fellows teach broader general science concepts.
Moreover, Fellows ensure that their students acquire the skills necessary to succeed in school and in life. Fellows who teach math or science bring a strong academic background and/or career experience that allow them to become successful first-year teachers. Fellows deliver exciting, hands-on lessons that tie math or science theories and concepts to real-world applications and professions. This, in turn, leads to increased student achievement.
For more information or to view a complete list of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, visit one of the following websites:
Training for Math and Science Fellows
Fellows who teach math or science bring a strong foundation in their subjects and the ability to impact the lives of the students they teach. By becoming math or science teachers, Fellows are able to translate their content knowledge into socially meaningful work.
Texas Teaching Fellows will receive specialized training which focuses on leveraging prior experiences to translate previous achievement into classroom success. Training and university courses include topics such as lesson planning and delivery, long-term planning, research-based High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), and methods of teaching math or science.
1Standard & Poors Student Assessment
2Mathematics in the US: New report shows mathematics education in the U.S. just doesn’t compute.
3U.S. Higher Education 2006 Outlook: Credit Quality Generally Stable, But Challenges Remain
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