The National Science Foundation awarded Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition a grant of $4,444,898 from 6/04-5/09 to conduct a comprehensive research program on the impact of Mathematics Specialists on student learning and to offer courses for Mathematics Specialists at Norfolk State University, University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University over the five year period of the grant.  Project Director Reuben Farley , Professor of Mathematics at Virginia Commonwealth University , reports that the comprehensive research project with two sets of “control” schools is underway at Portsmouth , Virginia Beach, Richmond , Stafford and Spotsylvania school systems.  The research project is described in detail in the project’s website.