October 29, 2009
St.
John’s University faculty and administrators received a $25,000
grant to aid low-income families to cultivate conditions for
productive parent-child collaboration in low income families during
the 2009-2010 academic year. Thirty 4th grade children and a
parent/guardian of each joined In Collaboration, an eight-session
mathematics and science initiative funded by The Staten Island
Foundation.
Sharon Norton, Esq., Vice Provost, Staten Island campus, Mary Ellen
Tirone, Director of Special and Opportunity Programs, and
Regina Mistretta, Ed.D., Associate Professor in The School of
Education, recognized the need to improve the attitudes and
achievements of young children in five parochial schools on the
north shore of Staten Island.
“The In Collaboration initiative is a very exciting prospect for
the University’s outreach into the community,” explains Director
Tirone. “We need to erase the old preconceived notions about math.
Many families will benefit from the resources that are available on
this campus, especially our talented professors and
students.”
One Semester at a Time
Dr. Mistretta, the principal investigator for the initiative,
designed the learning environment framework along with the specific
content for the math component. Adjunct Professor Mary Lee
will design the content for the spring science
sessions.
Eighteen graduate students currently registered in fall semester’s
“Current Research Trends in the Teaching of Mathematics” class and
the upcoming Spring 2010 “Current Research Trends in the Teaching
of Science” will have the opportunity to build practical teaching
experiences as well as fulfill the required field hours in
mathematical and science learning.
During the tutorial, the graduate students engage families in
mathematical and scientific tasks that cultivate understanding of
both subject areas and current methods of teaching each
subject.
“This enhanced understanding allows the parents to reflect and
reinforce their children’s classroom learning at home and foster a
teacher’s role in a meaningful collaboration,” explains Dr.
Mistretta. “The energy of the program seems to be spreading, and
many students are anxious to participate for the spring
term.”
In order to help alleviate the financial burden of tuition,
participating families will receive a $300 tuition reimbursement,
plus a $20 transportation stipend per session, and mathematics and
science home instructional resources. The program began September
1, 2009 and will continue through May, 2010. All sessions will take
place on the Staten Island campus on Tuesday evenings during the
fall, and on Wednesday evenings during the spring.
“We selected private schools because many public schools already
obtain both federal and state funding, whereas private schools are
having a difficult time right and could use the assistance,” adds
the Opportunity Programs Director.
At the end of the grant, the St. John’s students will have the
opportunity to impart their findings through a research project
presentation. The most worthy presentation will be selected to join
faculty members at a national Education conference.
“We are living out the Vincentian tradition at St. John’s
University,” notes Dr. Mistretta. “Through our efforts to provide
families from schools in low-income areas with information,
engagement sessions, and resources, we are seeking to equalize the
mathematical and scientific literacy fields.”