Welcome Session

10:00 am                 Nicole Glen Associate Provost for Academic & Faculty Affairs at Bridgewater State University: 

Welcoming remarks

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM      Keynote Speaker: Luke Tunstall

   Quantitative Reasoning in Postsecondary Education–Bringing Everyone to the Table

Abstract

From consuming ads on TV, to commenting on graphics on social media, to creating and interpreting charts for a work presentation, regardless of one’s profession, it is difficult to make it through one’s day without being called to engage in quantitative reasoning in some way. As educators, we have the critical responsibility of supporting all of our students–not just those who have traditionally felt comfortable with numbers–to feel confident and empowered to answer that call. In this presentation, I will discuss what quantitative reasoning is, why it is important to foster across the curriculum, and questions we should consider to prioritize access to quantitative reasoning for all of our students. There will be ample time in the presentation for questions and conversation. 

11:15 AM - 11:30 AM Break/ Open Conversation

11:30 AM -12:00 PM: Connecting QR and Literacy Education in Teacher Preparation

Amanda Lindner, Kate Appenzeller-Knowles & Emily Naasz

Texas A&M University–San Antonio & Univeristy of Texas San Antonio

Abstract

Classroom teachers are required to use data to track student progress and make appropriate instructional decisions daily. Data-driven decision making is particularly necessary in literacy as 60% of U.S. students are not reaching proficient levels in reading. However, literacy courses in pre-service teacher education programs typically focus on content, including how to teach literacy skills, rather than quantitative reasoning (QR) skills. This paper highlights the inclusion of QR skills in a literacy education course including collecting data, comparing the data to the nation-wide norms, and making data-driven instructional decisions focusing on oral reading fluency (ORF). Participants will complete a hands-on activity assessing a student’s ORF and compare the results to the ORF norms to provide insight to the connection beetween literacy development and QR skills.

12:00 PM- 12:30 PM Assessing QR in the Core at Bridgwater State University

Matt Salomone 

Abstract

This will be an overview of BSU's first assessment process for the new quantitative reasoning in the core requirement. Also intended to be an open discussion on approaches to assessing students quantitative reasoning outcomes. 

Thanks for Attending!