Transcript Slide 1

Project P.O.S.T.

Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers A Partnership of GCS & UNCG

Project P.O.S.T.

Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers

Why did GCS need the MSP grant?

What is the structure of the partnership?

What is the vision and structure of the POST project?

What now?

GCS Racial Breakdown

6% 4% 4%1% 44% White Black Hispanic Asian Multiracial American Indian 41%

High School Performance Science EOCs

Percentage of Students NOT Proficient

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0

Andrews Dudley Eastern High Point Central Smith Biology Chemistry Physical Science Physics

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0

Allen Jay

Middle School Math Performance

Percentage of Students NOT Proficient

Allen Ferndale Jackson Penn-Griffin 6th 7th 8th Alg

Industrial Model

R & D, Production & Distribution to client all done by company

Invest in research & development

Research guides work

Educational Model: Incomplete Relationships Research & Theory Development Schools Universities School Improvement

Traditional Model for Preparing Teachers Schools Staff Development Universities Teacher Candidates

Ideal Relationship

Universities Schools School Improvement

Ideal Relationships

Job Embedded Staff Development & Preparation of Teacher Candidates Universities Schools

Context of a Partnership

Problems of Practice Inform & Shape Theory Learning & Improved Practice

Project P.O.S.T.

Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers

Why did GCS need the MSP grant?

What is the structure of the partnership?

What is the vision and structure of the POST project?

What now?

Structure of Partnership

Partnership Steering Committee POST Management Team NC QUEST Middle School Math, Science & Social Studies Cohorts

Strategy for Accomplishing Goals of Partnership:

Provide intensive, ongoing professional development for teachers in content area

Create structure that will promote learning communities (lesson study)

Strategies

(cont)

• Provide support & leadership • Training to school-based coordinators so they can help sustain effort • Orient principals to project & quality science instruction

Project P.O.S.T.

Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers

Why did GCS need the MSP grant?

What is the structure of the partnership?

What is the vision and structure of the POST project?

What now?

P.O.S.T.

   

The Vision

Provide relevant and engaging professional development for our middle school science teachers Purchase resources to assist our team leaders with reflection on their personal growth in the areas of inquiry and content knowledge Establish Professional Learning Communities in each school fostering collaboration among the science staff Ensure our teachers model safe lab procedures with our students

Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers

Project Goals Provide relevant training in content and pedagogy Establish POST Team Leaders to facilitate Science PLC Increase student achievement in science

Management Team

 Serves in an advisory capacity to the project coordinator  Meets monthly to review the activities sponsored by the project  Provides guidance for future action

Management Team Members

 Guilford County Schools Staff  Staff from Center for Educational Research and Evaluation  School of Education Faculty  College of Arts and Sciences Faculty

POST Participants

 Middle School Teachers from 11 schools in Guilford County

Recruitment

Meeting with Administrators • Purpose of the grant • Timeline • Opportunities for professional development of the staff • Inquiry Based Instruction

Recruitment

 POST Website http://professional_development.gcsnc.com/ POST.html

 Online Teacher Application

Teacher Leader Training

John Maxwell’s The 360 Degree Leader: Developing your Influence From Anywhere in the Organization

Summer Courses

Cohort 1  Physical science  Biology  Earth/Environmental 2007 2007 2008

Summer Courses

Cohort 2  Chemistry  Biology  Earth/Environmental  Physics 2008 2008 2009 2009

Curriculum Topic Study

  Two day session Systematic professional development strategy that brings together science standards and research with curriculum, instruction, and assessment

Quarterly Academies

 Training in Inquiry based instruction

Quarterly Academies

 Content instruction  Training with science equipment

Bi-weekly Meetings

 Develop Professional Learning Communities  Lesson Study

Why a learning community …

 Effective staff development  Associated with student achievement  Excellent model for novices  Promotes school reform

What is lesson study?

 An ongoing, collaborative, professional development process  It involves a group of teachers working together to develop lesson plans, teach the same lesson, and share lessons learned  The lessons being taught are observed and analyzed, and revised  The focus throughout the process is on improving student thinking and making lessons more effective

Report on Goals

Lesson Study Cycle

Set Goals Analyze and Plan Teach & Observe Discuss & Revise Discuss & Revise Teach & Observe

POST Plan

    Form 3 (more if wanted) work groups – one for 6 th grade, one for 7 th grade & one for 8 th grade Identify topic & resources needed (including faculty) Share with school administrator to obtain support & develop plan Schedule activities, make arrangements for subs etc.

Emerging Benefits

 Recognition of the shifting and fluid role of expertise  Response to district and university priorities  Fostering teacher leadership  Systemic change in both university and school settings

Project P.O.S.T.

Preparing Outstanding Science Teachers

Why did GCS need the MSP grant?

What is the structure of the partnership?

What is the vision and structure of the POST project?

What now?

What now? Collect Data  Student benchmark scores  student EOG and EOC scores  teacher assessments Recruit Cohort 2 teachers Leadership seminars Lesson study research lesson #2

What now?

Identify Schools with the greatest need Developed ideas for courses, workshops, learning communities, and other activities aligned with best practices designed to improve teacher content knowledge and pedagogy

What now?

Despite the best laid plans…

Contact info

Christopher Bronson

[email protected]

(336) 312-4096

Disclaimer

The instructional practices and assessments discussed or shown in these presentations are not intended as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education".