More than 200 Texas teachers are training with the National Math and Science Initiative on July 22–25 in Leander as part of a program that includes 6,500 participants nationwide.

The lessons developed by NMSI, which was formed as public-private partnership, aim to improve student performance in science, technology, engineering and math. For four days, teachers learn how to better teach third- through 12th-grade students taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness and Advanced Placement exams.

"It's a hands on, content-focused, pedagogy-driven, teacher-to-teacher training," NMSI Account Manager Heather Victor said. "Everything was developed by teachers for teachers, and the training is done mostly by active teachers."

The Texas Legislature passed new testing requirements for students at the end of May, including cutting the number of required STAAR end-of-course exams from 12 to five. NMSI Assistant Director of Math Charla Holzbog said the lessons taught at the summer institute are designed to be adaptable to the changing standards in Texas.

"Before our new training season begins every year, we review the content. From the wintertime on, we are looking at the current standards and making sure we are still in line with what the state is asking for," she said. "Once you get those skills and concepts, you can mold that into what your students need."

Teachers worked in groups in the science laboratories at Rouse High School on July 22, performing experiments as if they were students. Leander ISD chemistry teacher Joann Tanzer said the program encourages instructors to act as facilitators of knowledge.

"I think it's good because we look at it from the student's perspective first and then how would you, as a teacher, run the classroom to get the same effect," she said. "There are some ways to ask questions that lead the students to get the right answer or get on the right track instead of giving the student the answer."

NMSI invited math, science and English teachers from Texas school districts including Leander ISD, Austin ISD and Pflugerville ISD to participate in the training. NMSI Chief Operations Officer Dave Saba said the training in Leander will be a launching pad for future student success.

"Rouse High School has willingly opened their doors to more than 20 school districts this week for rigorous professional development and teacher-to-teacher collaboration," he said. "Leander was chosen as a NMSI training location in Texas because of their commitment to providing their schools with the best professional development for math, science and English teachers so that students can have the best high school education and graduate college-ready."