FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010
Contact: Nikonie Brown
(662) 329-7119
nnb1@muw.edu

MUW’s Center for Creative Learning CHAMPS Project receives grant

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning CHAMPS Project at Mississippi University for Women was recently awarded a $1,538,574 grant for three years through the Mississippi Department of Education’s Mathematics and Science Partnership 2009-2010 Program.

This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title II, Part B of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Now in its sixth successful year, the CHAMPS (Creating High Achievement in Mathematics and Problem Solving) Project has immersed more than 600 Mississippi fourth through eighth grade teachers from 17 high-need districts in research-based mathematics frameworks, high quality professional development and educational activities that are aligned with state curriculum standards.

“The ultimate goal of the CHAMPS Project is to improve overall student achievement, and we hope to accomplish this by creating confident, effective teachers who are well versed in the area of mathematics” said Sarah Sumners, project director.

Sumners estimates that these high quality teachers, who also serve as peer educators and role models in their home districts, have directly taught at least 3,000 students.

"The CHAMPS Project is a critical component of the work of the Center,” said Dr. Suzanne Bean, director of the Center for Creative Learning. “This is the fifth time the Center has been awarded this grant, and through the MSP grants we have established a pattern of strengthening the effectiveness of middle school mathematics teachers. We believe this kind of innovative professional learning provides sustainable improvements in the quality of teaching in northeast Mississippi schools."

Participating districts include Aberdeen, Amory, Chickasaw County, Columbus, Houston, Kemper County, Lee County, Louisville, Lowndes County, Noxubee County, Okolona, Oktibbeha County, Philadelphia, Starkville, Tupelo, Webster County and West Point. Special education teachers and teachers not currently teaching math, as well as teachers from other districts, may be eligible to participate based on competitive placement. The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is also a partner in the project.

For more information about the CHAMPS Project, contact Sumners at 662-241-6088 or ssumners@ccl.muw.edu. Additional information is also available at the following website: www.muw.edu/ccl/champs.