Laying the Foundation
In 2011, the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) merged with teacher training organization Laying the Foundation (LTF). As a result of the merger, LTF became a division of NMSI, and a seamless system was established for preparing middle school and high school students to succeed in Pre-AP and AP* courses in the critical fields of math, science, and English.
LTF AT A GLANCE
Student success begins with the teacher. LTF provides a comprehensive teacher training program, complete with instructional resources specifically designed to raise the level of instructional rigor. The goal of that enhanced teacher preparation is to increase the number of students equipped to succeed in AP courses, college, and the workforce.
Although LTF Training targets AP as a college readiness standard, LTF teacher training and instructional resources are effective in changing the teaching paradigm and instructional practice of all teachers and opening the door for more students to engage successfully in AP or other college-level courses.
LTF PRODUCES RESULTS
LTF, which utilizes a blended learning model of professional development, has become the choice
for many districts, states, and teachers across the country. Districts that use LTF for their training show an increase both in the number of students enrolling in Advanced Placement
courses and in the number of students receiving qualifying scores in math, science, and English
exams.
LTF’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
The LTF Training program for math, science, and English teachers of grades six through twelve consists of six core components:
- Interactive teacher-to-teacher training focused on both content and pedagogy
- Materials and resources aligned to the Common Core State Standards
- Online mentoring through the Professional Learning Community
- Administrator support, including orientation workshops
- Embedded and project-based student assessments, as well as online formative assessments and AP-style pretests and posttests
- Capacity building within districts through the Train the Trainer model, AP Vertical Team materials, and curriculum integration
LTF is actively taking steps to expand its reach throughout the United States. Through training institutes, conferences, and work with partner organizations, LTF has impacted the lives of more than 36,000 teachers from across the country, and that number is steadily increasing. To date, LTF has provided training in 15 states and will soon be implementing its program in two others, Colorado and Indiana.
