About SMTI

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities launched its Science and Mathematics Teaching Imperative (SMTI) on November 9, 2008. SMTI was conceived in response to the National Academies’ recommendation in Rising Above the Gathering Storm (2006) to prepare 10,000 new science and mathematics teachers each year. To join SMTI, the president of each higher education institution and system made a commitment to increase the number and quality of secondary science and mathematics teachers they prepare.

During the 2008-2009 academic year, 165 institutions, (including 11 systems) joined SMTI and since that time the number has grown to 215 institutions and 13 systems. The majority of the institutions (132) are members of APLU; the remaining 83 are in university systems that are members of APLU. In total, these 215 institutions prepared 9,008 middle and high school science and mathematics teachers in 2010.

SMTI PURPOSE:

A commitment by the public research universities to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of science and mathematics teachers in response to the need to improve national science and mathematics education. APLU provides strategic direction as it works with its institutions to conduct research, develop tools, strengthen networks, and identify models that support their efforts.

Long-Term Goals:

• Goal 1: Increase the number of high-quality science and mathematics teachers that SMTI institutions prepare.
• Goal 2: Prepare excellent teachers through partnerships with K-12 schools; develop and adopt leading attributes of quality science and mathematics teacher preparation aligned with the goals of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Goal 3: Improve undergraduate STEM teaching and learning by galvanizing university leadership and collaborating with other professional and educational organizations.