CCNY Receives Record
Grant from Petrie Foundation to Boost Math Education
by Adam W. Sugerman
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation has donated nearly
$3.7 million to The City College of New York for the advancement
of mathematics education. It is the largest foundation grant
ever received by the College in its 156-year history, said
Rachelle Butler, Vice President for Development and Institutional
Advancement at CCNY.
The grant will be used by The City College School of Education
to train all of the math assistant principals in New York City
public high schools, who will then concentrate on the instructional
program in their respective schools. In this way, each math
teacher will have the benefit of instructional support from
a trained supervisor.
This model uses a multiplier effect to reach all the math
teachers in the City of New York, which would otherwise not
be possible. Alfred S. Posamentier, Dean of the CCNY School
of Education and an international leader in the field of mathematics
education, developed the concept for the program and will serve
as its director at The City College of New York.
Chancellor Joel Klein of the New
York City Department of Education, who will provide the release
time for the training of assistant principals, said, "I
am delighted with the continued support of the private sector
for our school system and want to thank the Petrie Foundation
for this generous contribution. We look forward to working
with City College to assure that this program is effectively
implemented."
CCNY President Gregory H. Williams said the Petrie Foundation's
generosity has helped maintain the College at the forefront
of mathematics education in New York.
"Clearly, we have reached a crisis point in the way math
is taught, not only in New York but around the nation," added
President Williams. "Any real reform must include not
only math teachers, but also those who are responsible for
instructional leadership. This allows us to address that crucial
area in the most comprehensive fashion."
Recently, CCNY received a $2 million donation from Stanley
H. Kaplan to train the assistant principals in New York City
public middle schools who supervise mathematics instruction
in their respective schools. Mr. Kaplan, a 1939 graduate of
City College, is the founder of the Kaplan test preparation
program and provides funding assistance in the bio-medical
research program at City College.
The funding from the Petrie Foundation grant and Mr. Kaplan's
gift together fund a comprehensive, $5.7 million program that
will enable CCNY to assume a prominent role in the training
of all public school officials who supervise math teachers.
The $3.7 million grant is the latest Petrie Foundation support
to benefit CCNY. The Foundation also funds the Petrie Scholars
Program for outstanding students in CCNY's Honors Programs.#
The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation is a private, independent
grant making foundation that began active operation in 2002.
The Foundation's mission arises from the belief that education
is the key to realizing an individual's potential and his or
her ability to become an active, productive and engaged participant
in a democratic society. Therefore, the Foundation's primary
focus is on education.
