News

Anchin Center Hosts Math by the Bay Summits

The Math by the Bay Summits, hosted by the David C. Anchin Center at the University of South Florida (USF), brought together educators, district leaders, and stakeholders to address critical challenges in mathematics education. This collaborative initiative aimed to enhance math outcomes for struggling learners in the Tampa Bay area with several meetings held over the course of the 2023-2024 school year.

Dr. Sarah Van Ingen Lauer and Dr. David Allsopp facilitated the summits, welcoming school district teams from several counties, including Hillsborough, Sarasota, Pinellas, Hernando, Polk, and Manatee. Participants engaged in open discussions, sharing insights, experiences, and innovative ideas related to mathematics education. 

The vision of Math by the Bay is to create an interdisciplinary and synergistic community of stakeholders dedicated to launching a mathematics success trajectory for struggling learners in the Tampa Bay area.  By pooling resources, knowledge, and experiences, this educational community aims to make significant strides in math education. 

District leaders expressed appreciation for the opportunity to collaborate. They discovered that many school districts face similar issues related to mathematics education. Challenges included coordinating the work of both mathematics and exceptional student educators, better content and pedogeological practices, equitable access, improved resources, and effective instructional strategies. The summit provided a platform to explore potential solutions, drawing from collective expertise. 

The Math by the Bay Summit exemplifies the power of collaboration and shared expertise. By working together, educators and stakeholders can create a positive impact on student achievement in mathematics. As the initiative continues, it holds the promise of transforming math education in the Tampa Bay area, benefiting learners of all backgrounds.