Citadel helps students improve math scores, career readiness

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The Citadel understands the importance of math and how comprehension can set students up for college and career success.

In partnership with The Citadel’s Zucker Family School of Education, the college is providing selected algebra 2 teachers in rural high schools $2,000 stipends.

High school teachers are encouraged to apply for the professional development opportunity by the Jan. 31 deadline.

With a $100,000 grant from the S.C. Commission on Higher Education, the program has created the Center for Mathematical Inquiry to provide professional development opportunities for 24 algebra 2 teachers across the state.

“One of the key areas of need in the state is assistance with fully engaging high school students who are studying algebra 2. Right now only about 70% of them in South Carolina pass the course,” said Evan Ortlieb, dean of the ZFSOE and project director for the center.

Math continues to be a subject in need of improvement throughout South Carolina’s schools, which overall rank among the lowest in the country by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report and the National Education Association.

The selected algebra 2 teachers will participate in virtual professional development workshops and a webinar series. They’ll also learn best practices as well as new ways to teach the course.

Additional programs, such as free monthly webinars, will be provided for anyone else who is interested.

The center is a joint effort involving the ZFSOE’s STEM Center of Excellence, led by Jennifer Albert, and Swain School of Mathematics and Science professor Richard Robinson.

Of the 24 slots, 10 are reserved for teachers in the Georgetown County School District. 

“Algebra 2 is such an important course to help students prepare for college and career readiness,” Georgetown County School Superintendent Keith Price said. “By engaging in this opportunity, not only will our teachers have the opportunity to study, plan, collaborate and implement research-based best practices, but our students will also see increased potential for success in this rigorous course as well as subsequent courses to follow.”