What is PRISM?

The Partnership for Reform in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) is a state-wide initiative of the Board of Regents in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education. Four partnerships, each consisting of a university and its partner schools, have been developed throughout Georgia to work collaboratively to increase P-16 achievement in mathematics and science. The 3 school districts that join the University of Georgia and Georgia Perimeter College to form the N.E. Georgia region of PRISM are the Clarke County, Jackson County, and Oconee County School Districts. The other three PRISM regions include Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, and Armstrong Atlantic State University along with their partner schools.

Funded by a $34.6 million National Science Foundation grant over 5 years, PRISM seeks to increase science and mathematics achievement by providing challenging science and mathematics curricula; increasing and sustaining the number, quality, and diversity of P-12 science and mathematics teachers; and increasing the responsiveness of higher education to the needs of schools. Local PRISM activities include the formation of P-16 learning communities, the support of post-secondary instructional innovations in undergraduate science and mathematics classes through PRISM mini-grants, and the coordination of individualized professional development for P-12 science and mathematics teachers.

Northeast Region Defining Documents
The Northeast region has documents to define how our region will operate. The following define the key elements of our regional activities:
•  PRISM Participation
•  PRISM Learning Communities
•  PRISM Institute
•  PRISM Lead Teacher
•  PRISM Design & Outcomes

Vision
Increase science and mathematics (SM) achievement for all P-12 students in order to improve their readiness for postsecondary education and careers by enhancing teacher quality, raising expectations of all stakeholders, and closing the achievement gaps through the collaboration of P-16 partners.

Goals
Goal 1: Raise expectations and achievement in SM in P-12 schools, while closing achievement gaps among demographic groups by :
•  Providing challenging SM curricula and materials for all students.
•  Raising the awareness of students, parents, and the community of the need for all P-12 students to complete challenging courses and curricula in SM.

Goal 2: Raise student achievement in SM in P-12 schools through increasing and sustaining the number, quality, and diversity of P-12 teachers teaching SM by :
•  Providing high quality professional development to current P-12 teachers who teach SM.
•  Strengthening the content and pedagogy in SM for pre-service teachers.
•  Ensuring a sufficient pipeline of highly qualified and diverse SM teachers to meet demand.
•  Providing incentives for teacher assignment and retention to ensure access to highly qualified and experienced SM teachers by students who need them most.

Goal 3: Raise student achievement in SM in P-12 schools through increasing the responsiveness of higher education to the needs of P-12 schools by :
•  Increasing the participation of SM faculty in teacher preparation and professional development.
•  Providing incentives for SM faculty members to engage in research with P-12 schools on effective practices in science and mathematics.

Strategies for Change

• Change practices in teacher preparation, professional development, and P-12 SM courses and curricula, including extra support for students who need it to reach higher expectations.

• Improve collaborations among higher education faculty in SM and P-12 teachers to change practices through mutual learning.
  
• Change policy at the state level to support changes in practices at the local level.
  
• Increase the number of students who successfully complete challenging SM courses.

These strategies will :

• Lead to increased P-12 student achievement in SM
• Contribute to knowledge about teaching and learning of SM
• Create models for scaling up the innovations statewide.

The result will be:

All P-12 students will have high quality SM teachers and will be prepared for success in challenging SM courses and curricula.

For a full, detailed listing of PRISM Goals & Stratgies, click here.