Title: Educational Reform and Minority Institutions
Speaker: James Turner Jr., Arizona State University
Many minority institutions have committed themselves to developing,
implementing, and continuously improving various elements of the
educational reform movement in mathematics. These elements include novel
models of instruction, collaborative partnerships, new modes of
assessment, and cross-disciplinary training of students. In many ways, the
success or failure of these reforms depends on the strength of the
infrastructure upon which they are built.
The challenges confronting minority institutions, as they participate in
educational reform, are multifaceted. Nevertheless, the primary challenge
that remains is this: How can these institutions keep their commitment to
significantly increasing the number of under-represented minorities
successfuly pursuing careers in mathematics as resources for
infrastructure development become scarce? In this session we will discuss
some of the trials and tribulations of the educational reform movement at
minority institutions. Our perspective will be that of the Historically
Black Colleges and Universities.