By Kwanza Davis Staff Writer
The Math Core Program at Pershing is enriching ninth graders and eleventh graders in the math reasoning skills to go on to higher mathematics.
The program got started by giving students the option of being in a college ready classroom, which is called Emerging Scholars Program (ESP).
“It (ESP) started because they wanted to give students the option of being in a university classroom,” said one of the ESP instructors Joseph Radcliff. “The math class is for students who are willing to work hard, have good attendance, and high standards.”
The only type of students who are eligible for attending the program are students with good attendance, willing to work hard, and who have high standards. About 50 students are enrolled in the program.
“I like the program because it helps for algebra, and makes up for all things you missed,” said ninth grader Tyrue Everett.
Radcliff teaches his class chess to provide students with a interactive activity to learn about problem solving and critical thinking.
“We started teaching and doing chess,” said Radcliff. “Chess requires critical thinking and problem solving. Math also requires critical thing and problem solving.”
Before going into schools the Math Core Program started as a six week year summer program at Wayne State University for middle school and high school students in Detroit.
“It (ESP) can benefit me in the future because, I can be anything in the future,” said ninth grader Trevon King. “You can do a lot in math. With math I can become anything in life.”
