The Montana Math and Science Teacher Initiative

23 October 2009

Vision Statement:
The Montana Math and Science Teacher Initiative will engage PK-20 stakeholders and policy makers statewide to galvanize leadership in shared decision-making practices that supports and sustains the recruitment, training, placement, and retention of mathematics and science teachers in the rural western United States.

Mission Statement:
The Mission of the Montana Math and Science Teacher Initiative, dedicated to improving the recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers of mathematics and science is fourfold:

1. Engage in a statewide campaign to raise awareness of the importance of math and science education as a means of preparing our students for civic engagement, career readiness, college readiness, and to become leaders in a globalized technological world;

2. Increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of mathematics and science teachers through rigorous, high quality professional development teacher education programs in Montana;

3. Recruit students from STEM disciplines who are demonstrating excellent teaching skills; and

4. Continuously work towards developing assessment strategies which will provide quantifiable and qualitative data to measure various degrees of success in the development and sustainability of statewide practices.