SXNews
Saint Xavier University and Morgan Park High School (MPHS) recently introduced MathLab to MPHS. The lab is the latest component of the relationship between the two schools that was initiated by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2014.
The purpose of the partnership between SXU and MPHS is to provide high school students with more opportunities to increase their college exposure and preparedness.
Several other Chicago universities have similar relationships with high schools, including DePaul University and Loyola University.
Dr. Suzanne Lee, dean of the SXU School of Education, said that the partnership is not only beneficial for MPHS students, but also for the SXU community.
“One of the benefits is taking our expertise and our resources and providing them within the community in which we live because this relationship allows us to live out our mission as an institution, and then our mission in the School of Education,” said Lee.
MPHS’s new lab is similar to the one used by SXU’s Math Department and utilizes Pearson’s MyMathLab Application. Students who are enrolled in the MathLab program work on the application after school and can also use the software at home.
Professors Patricia Petkus and Kim Gawel, who run the MathLab at SXU, have worked with four instructors from MPHS to train them to use the software and assess student progress. SXU students will also be trained to mentor MPHS students after school.
According to Mr. Terry Atkins, Morgan Park High School’s School-Community Resource Coordinator, the program primarily serves junior students who will learn skills that will help them succeed in their math classes and on the ACT.
“The whole Morgan Park community is very excited about the opportunity to work with Saint Xavier University professors. The teachers are really excited because the students can benefit and be excited to learn new Math skills and have it online where they can actually get help in person and continue to work on some of the assignments at home. It will put them in a position to be successful when it comes to standardized testing, and then higher level math courses,” said Atkins.
MPHS hopes to have 60 students enrolled in the program by next year and, according to Atkins, they are almost halfway to reaching that goal.
“We have huge plans for MyMathLab and we expect to see our numbers grow over the next two years. We anticipate that this will be a major, major thing for the Math Department,” said Atkins.
MPHS’ MathLab is made possible by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant awarded to the Chicago Public Schools’ Community Schools Initiative. According to the U.S. Department of Education website, the purpose of the grant program is to allow state education agencies to develop activities that will further student achievement.
“This program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools”.
The website states, “The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.”
Yasmeen Abdellatif
Senior News Editor
About Post Author
