Kudos to the Project TIME team and all its partners! With almost 500 hundred parents, students, school district and state representatives, Board of Trustees members, and guests in attendance at Green River, the Project TIME’s Parent/Student Math Advisory Night was a huge success!

The evening kicked off with middle and high school students participating in COMPASS assessment in the Technology Building, and moved to the Lindbloom Student Center for opening remarks from Green River president Rich Rutkowski and Kent School District superintendent Barbara Grohe.

The evening included the following highlights: an inspiring talk by Terry Bergeson, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a keynote speech by Microsoft’s Steve Willett, who touched on such topics as his exciting job with Xbox. Mr. Willett also underscored the high level of math skills that are required for many well-paid jobs in the gaming industry.

Panel presentations included important information for parents and students, such as the expectations around math preparedness at the 4-year college/university level and a student perspective on the importance of making math a priority from Green River student Kasi Wells. Additionally, area school district representatives were on-hand to answer family’s questions: Auburn, Enumclaw, Kent, Renton, Sumner and Tahoma.

The success of this year’s Parent/Student Advisory Night is just one example of how collaborative partnerships such as those that Project TIME cultivates can work to improve math education for all in Washington state.

Project TIME wishes to thank the Transition Math Project and the Partnership for Learning for providing funding for the event, with door prizes generously provided by Microsoft, Sylvan Learning, and Texas Instruments. Special thanks also to the Center of Excellence for Careers in Education, the Green River Math Division, each of our school district partners, and Marilou Christiansen for help coordinating this important event. Project TIME also extends its gratitude to the over 400 parents and students who participated in this important evening – when it comes to connecting people to the importance of math, parents and students are the most critical partners of all.

** Project TIME is a partnership among Green River Community College, K-12 school districts, and 4-year universities which examines issues around transitions in mathematics, from one skill level to another. Funded in 2006, Project TIME is funded by the Transition Math Project, a statewide initiative funded by the Washington State Legislature, and a $3.6 million dollar grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information, please contact Laura Moore-Mueller at extension 4444.