Graduate Studies in the News

Outreach and Events

Creating a Numeracy Action Plan for New Hampshire

Brian Beaudrie and Emily Ricard

In the spring of 2008, a New Hampshire Quantitative Literacy Task Force was established to create a statewide numeracy plan. The intent was to investigate and document strategies that would help teachers incorporate quantitative literacy (also known by the term numeracy) into their daily instruction, regardless of discipline. The New Hampshire Impact Center, under the direction of Dr. Brian Beaudrie, associate professor of mathematics at Plymouth State University, and Emily Ricard, associate director of the Center, was awarded a Mathematics Science Partnership Grant to spearhead the effort.

Stakeholders from the Department of Education, local school districts, parent and community groups, federally funded research centers, classroom teachers, and institutions of higher education were invited to join the Task Force. To achieve its goal of making quality numeracy instruction available to all New Hampshire students, the Task Force's charge was to create a comprehensive statewide quantitative literacy plan. The Task Force examined the current body of research surrounding numeracy development and instruction and compiled many resources to assist school and district leadership, as well as classroom teachers, in implementing a comprehensive numeracy program. The Plan includes many sections, such as sample problems and guiding questions that emphasize numeracy, which will aid teachers as they work to promote numeracy acquisition.

Beginning this fall the plan will be disseminated to educational leaders, teachers, and other interested parties throughout the state via workshops, published documents, and CDs. It will also be posted on the NH Impact Center's Web site and the Department of Education's Web site. Recommendations and guidance cited in the Numeracy Action Plan will then be implemented in schools and districts throughout New Hampshire with the support of professional organizations, institutions of higher education, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and the Quantitative Literacy Task Force.

Keynote speaker at Peace and Social Justice Conference

Dr. Leo Sandy

On Thursday, September 24, 2009, Dr. Leo Sandy, professor of counselor education and school psychology, will be giving the keynote address, "Towards De-Militarization: A Personal Journey" at the Sixth annual Peace and Social Justice Conference at SUNY Plattsburgh. The topic for this year's conference is Imagine: Instruments of Peace: Race, Gender, and Demilitarization.

EdD Student Work Published

Shawn Maureen Powers

Shawn Maureen Powers, a doctoral student in the EdD cohort and arts and arts education consultant in New England recently had her article "Branding Education, Government-Style" featured in Education Week News.