Multi-University Reading, Mathematics and Science Initiative
The Multi-University Reading, Mathematics and Science Initiative (MURMSI) is a statewide research and development project funded by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through a special appropriation by Congress. Planned as a five-year project, MURMSI is designed to measurably improve teaching and learning in Reading, Mathematics, and Science in Florida’s K-12 schools with a special emphasis on students considered “at risk” due to economic or other conditions. It seeks to develop a deeper understanding of ways to improve reading, mathematics, and science education in Florida through a strategically planned research agenda and action plans for change.
MURMSI is a State University System project, involving eleven colleges and universities:
|
|
In the long-term, the MURMSI project aims to achieve the following goals:
- Increase the production of quality research that focuses on priority educational issues and produces a return on investment as measured by gains in student performance.
- Expand critical knowledge related to improved learning and support its application throughout the state.
- Directly connect research, teacher preparation, professional development, practice and evaluation.
- Coordinate research and development among stakeholder groups, including state universities, policy makers, K-12 leaders and teachers.
Project Components
The MURMSI project has four major components:
- Capacity-building: Formation of a stakeholder group to advise and participate in all aspects of the MURMSI project which includes: (1) state university faculty from Colleges of Education and Arts & Sciences, (2) the Florida Department of Education, (3) legislative and policy groups, and (4) K-12 leaders and educators. This group will advise in the development of web-based strategies to support project objectives with the intent to maximize participation from a broad range of stakeholders throughout the state.
- Research agenda: Development of a high priority research agenda through a collaborative partnership and consensus-building process among stakeholders.
- Research projects: Funding of research projects at state universities in Florida through a competitive request-for proposal process which must include K-12 partners. Below are examples of the kinds of research questions being addressed by these projects:
- Can principals and teachers improve their students’ reading achievement by using student assessment data to inform curriculum and instruction?
- How can teachers improve their students’ reading comprehension and their understanding of science and other content areas?
- How can teachers learn to apply evidence-based instructional strategies in their classrooms?
- Why do teachers in Florida leave the profession? What factors should administrators consider in designing retention strategies, particularly for teachers of science and mathematics?
- Dissemination: Linking research and practice to improve the application of findings in districts, schools and classrooms and the timeliness and usefulness of research to K-12 practitioners through the creation of a Research Dissemination Work Group to plan strategies for applying research findings to K-12 education in Florida.