Milwaukee Urban Systemic Initiative (MUSI)
Goal:The Urban Systemic Initiatives (USI) program supports comprehensive and systemic effort in large urban school systems to improve K-12 science and mathematics education. The goals are:

  • To improve the scientific and mathematical literacy of all students.
  • To provide the mathematics and science fundamentals to permit all students to participate fully in a technological society.
  • To enable a greater number of these students to pursue careers in mathematics, science, and technology.
Description:The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) joined with NSF in 1996 as part of the third cohort of USI schools. MPS is eligible to receive up to $15 million over five years for improving K-12 science and mathematics education. The Milwaukee Urban Systemic Initiative (MUSI) includes three components:

  • Mobilize and support communities of learners at all levels - classroom, school, district, and city.

  • Develop a cadre of teacher leaders referred to as Mathematics and Science Resource Teachers (MSRT).

  • Establish a mathematics, science, and technology center as a locus of learning, communication, and reform (COSMIC Center-Catalyst for Organizing Science and Mathematics in the Community).
The UWM Center for Mathematics and Science Education Research (CMSER) receives a sub-award to support the efforts of MUSI. Faculty and staff contribute to discussions concerning the ongoing evolution of the initiative and the development of strategic plans. The CMSER coordinates many professional development courses and activities. UWM courses are specifically designed to meet the needs of teachers, administrators, and staff.

These courses focus on mathematics and science content, pedagogy, and national standards and connections to the MPS mathematics and science curricula. Each course provides in-depth and sustained professional development.

The CMSER assists with internal evaluation by conducting teacher surveys, school site visits, classroom observations, and interviews with teachers, students, principals, and Math/Science Resource Teachers. The CMSER also provides a link to teacher preparation programs.

Funding:
Milwaukee Public Schools (National Science Foundation)
Additional Funding:
Milwaukee Public Schools (Wisconsin Eisenhower Professional Development Program)

Director:
DeAnn Huinker

Project Period:
September 1997 - August 1998
 
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