Creating a centralized math hub and surveying teacher preparation programs on AI

The challenge

Researchers have identified a need to improve alignment, collaboration and greater understanding among math researchers, particularly around critical issues in math education for priority students, identified as Black, Latinx and low-income students, as well as students with disabilities and English language learners.

Systems leaders (including those at the K-12 level), policymakers and advocacy organizations are seeking guidance on ways to make data-informed decisions — through access to critical research, data, analysis and expertise — on how to improve math outcomes for these students. Furthermore, Generative AI and technology are rapidly changing and have the potential to greatly impact education. Teacher preparation programs must be set up to prepare future educators for this shifting landscape. However, little is currently known about how they are adapting to this new context.

The approach

The Center for Reimagining Public Education, which is part of Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, is working to develop the Math Research Hub to address these challenges. Funding for the project, which will be led by CRPE Director Robin Lake, comes from the Gates Foundation.  

The centralized hub will provide a one-stop-shop for recent research on math, including student outcomes and effective intervention strategies. The project includes the following elements:

• Creating a centralized hub of research and expertise on math education in the United States

• Developing an advisory group with both research and policy experts to identify annual priority issues in math education that merit further exploration and study, provide thoughtful and balanced perspective on math curriculum debates and review the latest research on math education

• Writing commissioned papers that summarize research on topics the advisory board identifies annually

• Bringing together consensus panels to build greater alignment among researchers and identify needs for additional evidence on topics characterized by high levels of uncertainty and disagreement

• Reporting on trends in math research

• Promoting research and expertise to media and communications partners

CRPE’s landscape analysis of teacher preparation programs will seek to understand how schools of education are shifting to prepare teachers for the future of GenAI and to identify emerging models. CRPE will conduct the scan through surveys, focus groups and a literature review. The scan will focus on the following areas:

• Basic AI literacy (addressing the question of “are teachers learning how to critically evaluate GenAI tools?”)
• Tools being used for educator productivity and efficiency
• Tools and supports that are changing the way educators approach teaching, learning and assessment
• How educators are managing risks, such as equity, cheating and bias
  
  The results will not be nationally representative; however, the project will extend to different institutional types in different sectors, including community colleges, state schools, non-traditional programs and HBCUs. Where possible, the project will concentrate data collection in Gates Foundation focused states.