Transcript Alternative Careers in Teaching

Alternative Careers in Teaching
Fifth Annual NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship
Program Conference
July 7-9, 2010
Washington, DC
Background of act! Program
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an alternative teacher preparation program
leading to initial licensure in Mathematics or
Broadfield Science (grades 6-12)
a collaborative program between several UW
Colleges and UW Oshkosh
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UW Colleges include Fox Valley, Fond du Lac,
Manitowoc, Marinette, Sheboygan and Waukesha
approved as an alternative teacher preparation
program by the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction, meets all PI-34 statutory
requirements
How the act! alternative program differs from
UW Oshkosh’s traditional degree program
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Wisconsin license received is the same for both paths
act! students are non-traditional and already have a
4-year degree
Typically act! students are older, having years of
industry or other experience
act! program takes less time to complete than the
traditional 4-year education program
act! program is more flexible (online, evening course
offering)
act! gives credit for relevant life experience
act! is a less expensive option for non-traditional
students who already have the investment in a degree
Program Requirements
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Students enter with a 4-year degree in a Math
or Science field. The program is a postbaccalaureate Wisconsin licensure program.
 81
students entered with BA or BS degrees
 18
students entered with MS or MBA degrees
4
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students entered with PhD, DC or JD degrees
Students enter with 5 years of work
experience in a math or science field.
Program Phases
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Phase I – Admission (UW Fox Valley)
Assessment of undergraduate and graduate
transcripts
 Evaluation of resume, work experience and applicant
statement
 Interview with Program Coordinator
 Letter of Acceptance outlining specific program
requirements
 Evidence of clear Criminal Background Check and
TB screening (UW Oshkosh)
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Program Phases
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Phase II – Coursework, PRAXIS I & II, and a
Professional Portfolio
Completion of EDU 211 Orientation within first year
of admission to the act! program (UW Fox Valley)
 Praxis I
 Praxis II – content knowledge
 Completion of content course and education course
requirements (UW Colleges and UW Oshkosh)
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Phase III – Student Teaching (UW Oshkosh)
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18 weeks full time, full days
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9 weeks in Middle School and 9 weeks in High School
Required Courses
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Most act! students are required to take some content
in an area not covered by their undergraduate work.
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Content coursework typically taken at UW Colleges
and/or UW Oshkosh
Can offer equivalent life experience to cover content
requirements.
Education Course Requirements
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act! orientation (covers how to complete the Wisconsin
educators portfolio)
Concepts, Issues and Field Experience in Education;
Educational Psychology; The Exceptional Individual
Required Courses
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Reading in the Content Area
 Offered
only at UW Oshkosh as this is a 400
level course
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Math Methods or Science Methods
 Offered
only at UW Oshkosh as this is a 400
level course
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Student Teaching
 Placement/cooperating
through UW Oshkosh
teachers are coordinated
Transcript Review ~ Sciences
Transcript Review ~ Mathematics
Noyce Scholars Program
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National Science Foundation
 Two Robert C. Noyce awards totaling $1.5 million
$10,000 stipend based on academic qualifications
 Seventeen Noyce awards of $10,000 each have been
awarded to act! students
 Average age of the Noyce recipients is 46 years old
 Students agree to teach in high need schools for 2 years
after completion of program
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Funding for the Robert C. Noyce awards is provided by
National Science Foundation grants DUE-0833324 and DUE-0934682.
Kim Poli – Noyce Recipient
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Lives in Green Bay,
Wisconsin.
Has undergraduate
degrees in Social
Work and Mechanical
Engineering.
Work experience
includes design,
project management,
supervision, tutoring,
and is also a small
business owner.
Kim Poli
“I entered the act! program because the
program gave credit for work and life
experience, as well as courses taken in my
undergraduate programs.”
“The Robert C. Noyce stipend allowed me to
make student teaching a top priority – taking
some of the financial pressure away during
this important and challenging time.”
Cindy Schaefer-Kemps
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Wife and mother of
two, resides in
Menasha, Wisconsin.
Holds BS degree with
majors in Biology and
Anthropology.
Experience includes
product development,
hospital laboratory,
substitute teaching,
and volunteer work.
Cindy Schaefer-Kemps
“I believe that I will be a better teacher because I
was fortunate enough to receive the Robert C.
Noyce grant. I was able to complete the program
requirements earlier due to the act! program. I
did not have to hold off taking courses due to
financial constraints.”
“I am able to seek more professional development
and was able to student teach with less stress and
more time – making the experience a high
quality one.”
Program Data
License
Area
Completed
Accepted
Reviewed
Biology
28
8
9
11
Chemistry
17
7
4
6
Earth Sciences
8
2
2
4
Physics
6
0
1
5
Mathematics
57
8
19
30
116
25
35
56
TOTAL
As of 06.24.10
Inquired
Reviewed
Accepted
Inactive
Completed
Total
125
56
35
23
25
264
Program Completers
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Follow up on the 24 students who have
completed the act! initial licensure program
5
are teaching Math full time
 6 are teaching Science full time
 6 are teaching part-time or substitute teaching
 1 started a tutoring business
 1 seeking licensure in another state (relocated)
 2 teaching at college level – Math and Biology
 3 unknown
Current Areas Served
Areas currently
served by act!
program
Proposed
expansion
of the act!
program
Issues for Discussion
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Repayment of Noyce
Choosing not to enter the workforce for a period of time
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can a recipient determine when the “clock starts?”
Moving out of state and determining high need schools
in other states
Geographic restrictions – some students are
constrained to certain areas due to family obligations
How does teaching in “alternative” contexts like
correctional facilities, tutoring, and after-school
programs fit in with Noyce?
Merging Noyce with SMARTT or other grant programs