Purdue University Global begins “Investing in Indiana’s Math Teaching Pipeline” project

Purdue University Global has received a grant from the Lilly Foundation to help bolster the number of qualified math teachers in Indiana as the state continues to face shortages of math instructors. Beginning in the spring of 2025, Purdue University Global will work with the MathTrack Institute to prepare paraeducators to become math teachers via its “Investing in Indiana’s Math Teaching Pipeline” initiative.

According to an article on Purdue University’s website, Jody DeKorte, who is the dean of Purdue Global’s School of Multidisciplinary and Professional Studies and the principal investigator for the Lilly Foundation grant, was quoted as saying of the initiative, “Purdue Global is strongly committed to providing a world-class education to working adults. Our expertise in helping students earn academic credit through prior learning and our commitment to flexibility and accessibility will help these students earn a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies. Together with MathTrack we can foster collaboration and share transformative practices that can positively impact the field for not only these students through MathTrack Institute, but also the students they will impact through education.”

Per the initiative, paraeducators and paraprofessionals in Indiana who show desire to become math teachers will be able to enroll in the MathTrack Institute math apprenticeship program in addition to taking online courses with Purdue University Global to work toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies degree. The combination of these courses will prepare motivated school support staff to upskill and become qualified math teachers.

MathTrack Institute works with school districts across the country to help combat math teacher shortages. MathTrack offers apprenticeship programs that help future educators learn while on the job, helping to ease shortages more quickly while also helping paraeducators earn their degrees more quickly and affordably.

Kevin Berkopes, the CEO of MathTrack Institute, said, “We have had in-depth conversations with most districts in Marion County about this problem and the trend is consistent. The percentage of teaching applicants without a background in teaching continues to grow each year, often over 50% of their applicant pool. At the end of the day, there are people who can and want to do the job, but they face barriers to accessing formal teacher preparation and earning the credentials needed to be teachers of record. This initiative marks a pivotal step toward helping these districts increase the preparedness and qualifications of their applicant pool by creating a seamless, job-embedded pathway that empowers paraeducators to advance their careers while addressing critical needs in our schools.”

Paraeducators who wish to take part in the opportunity will be guided through the process of applying credit for prior learning for their experiences to the curriculum of their degree, leading to a simpler and more affordable process.

Jon Harbor, Purdue Global’s interim chancellor, said of the partnership, “Purdue Global is known for bringing together organizations to address workforce development issues. The fact that we are partnering with Indianapolis-based MathTrack Institute to help paraeducators in Indianapolis upskill and transition into higher paying, stable teaching positions is a win for everyone.”

For more information about Purdue University Global, visit the school’s website.