Endeavor Ideas

Here are bits of info perhaps relevant to identifying exemplary science education programs

• Here is a statement to include in the proposal (after checking it).

Science Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program

A financial benefit available to aspiring science teachers is the loan forgiveness program for in-service teachers. In October 2004, President Bush signed the Taxpayer-Teacher Protection Act, which extends Stafford Student Loan forgiveness up to $17,500. Secondary school science teachers may be eligible, so this may save you a lot of money while getting you closer to your science teacher career goals.
From: http://www.alleducationschools.com/faqs/science-education.php

• Is this a possible tool for evaluating ed schools?

A Framework for Research on Professional Development Schools, by Jeanne Tunks and Jane Neapolitan, uses NCATE-developed PDS Standards to provide a developmental approach for research on PDSs

A Framework for Research on Professional Development Schools, by Jeanne Tunks and Jane Neapolitan, provides a developmental approach for research on professional development schools. The authors have developed a framework to guide researchers designing research methods that are effective and appropriate to the different developmental stages of individual professional development schools. These developmental stages are outlined in the Standards for Professional Development Schools, published by NCATE. The PDS standards were conceived and developed by NCATE, through extensive collaboration with PDS networks and institutions in the field. Order A Framework for Research on Professional Development Schoolsfrom www.amazon.com .
From: http://www.ncate.org/public/edNews.asp?ch=149#050508

• NCATE Accreditation - WJU isn't accredited but just about all other ed schools in the state are:

http://www.ncate.org/public/stateInstit.asp?ch=106&state=WV

• NSTA Science standards for Teacher Prep Schools: http://www.nsta.org/pd/ncate/

• A list of 39 schools who have met NSTA standards (not WJU, but WVU and Bethany College)

http://www.nsta.org/pdfs/NCATE-NSTARecognizedPrograms.pdf

• Good idea to steal

NSTA has a New Science Teacher Academy that gives shared resources including webcast PD seminars, email discussion groups, reading lists. This is the old fashioned version of a modern learning community using software such as Ning.

• How to identify great science teaches

Winners of NSTA and other awards - but do these really need to more PD?
Example: http://www.nsta.org/about/awards.aspx

• Possible reference to use:

Report slams teacher-education programs
Education schools have 'not kept pace with changing ... technology,' group says
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=41307&CFID=5323028&CFTOKEN=84273453

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