College Ready in Mathematics and Physics

written by Gay Stewart and Dr. Bernard Madison

The mission of the College Ready Mathematics and Physics Partnership, a 7M dollar NSF MSP program lead by the University of Arkansas, is to enhance mathematics and physics learning for all students in its partner districts and teacher-preparation programs in partner institutions, closing achievement gaps, and preparing students for success in mathematics, science, and teaching careers. This will be achieved by building learning communities of 7-12 teachers and college faculty that foster and nurture smooth access to, productive disposition toward, and preparation for success in college.

http://collegeready.uark.edu

Effects of Teacher Professional Development on Gains in Student Achievement

published by the Council of Chief State School Officers

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct a meta analysis study with the goal of providing state and local education leaders with scientifically-based evidence regarding the effects of teacher professional development on improving student learning. The analysis focused on completed studies of effects of professional development for K-12 teachers of science and mathematics. The meta analysis results show important cross-study evidence that teacher professional development in mathematics does have significant positive effects on student achievement. The analysis results also confirm the positive relationship to student outcomes of key characteristics of design of professional development programs.

http://www.ccsso.org/content/pdfs/Final%20Meta%20Analysis%20Paper%20full.pdf

Teacher Advisory Group: Strategies

published by the Physics Teacher Education Coalition

Many PhysTEC sites have recruited local physics teachers to form Teacher Advisory Groups (TAGs), which meet regularly with department faculty to help improve pre-service teacher preparation. TAGs can serve several functions within a teacher preparation program. Several programs have benefited from the advice and expertise that local teachers were able to provide. TAGS can also become communities where teacher networks form, and where pre-service teachers can meet and learn from experienced working teachers.

http://phystec.org/components/advisory-group/strategies.php

What Can a Master Teacher/ Teacher-in-Residence Do for Your Program?

published by the Physics Teacher Education Coalition

The linchpin of most successful teacher preparation programs around the country is the Master Teachers (MT), or Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) – an agent of change who applies classroom wisdom to the tasks of identifying, training, and supporting teachers of physics. The role of a TIR includes recruiting new teachers, supervising field experiences, mentoring pre-service and beginning teachers, teaching methods and content classes, redesigning existing course curricula and developing new courses, redesigning and giving professional development workshops, and giving numerous workshops and presentations at local schools as well as at state, regional, and national meetings.

http://phystec.org/components/master-teachers/yourprogram.php

PhysTEC TIR Handbook

published by the Physics Teacher Education Coalition

The importance of Master Teachers has been recognized nationally – for example, the 2000 report "Educating Teachers of Science, Mathematics, and Technology" calls for the presence of "master/mentor teachers in partner school districts [who] would have adjunct appointments with the schools of education or the departments of science, mathematics, or engineering [and who] would take on a significant role in the mentoring of future teachers during their practicum experiences." This site is an internet resource for Master Teachers and TIRs including background information on the PhysTEC project, contact information for other Master Teachers, and suggestions and guidelines for program development, induction and mentoring, and course reform.

http://homepage.mac.com/dbyrum/tirindex.html