Research for Better Schools

Recent Technical Assistance Projects

Title: Pennsylvania Professional Development

Sponsor/Funder: U. S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education

Target Audience: Pennsylvania teachers, specialists, supervisors and teacher educators of mathematics and science, and school administrators

Collaborating Agencies: Pennsylvania Department of Education; Penn State University; University of Pittsburgh; Intermediate Units 3, 14, 19, and 24; Clarion University; Widener University; Juniata College; and NASA

Dates: 1993 - 2005

Description: Under the aegis of the Pennsylvania State Team for Mathematics and Science of the Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Mathematics and Science Education, RBS co-sponsored intensive and sustained professional development in mathematics and science education for teachers, supervisors, and administrators. The professional development spanned K-12, and included content, such as geometry and measurement; space science units developed by PA teachers and NASA scientists; Science in Motion for chemistry and physics; Network Connections Conferences; Foss Science; Science, Technology, and Society by Green Design; Using Data to Get Results; Leadership Development; Math Trailblazers; Mathematics in Context; and GEMS (Great Expectations in Mathematics and Science). All of the professional development was aligned with Pennsylvania's content standards and testing system.

Outcomes: In the most recently reported year, 2004, 10 Pennsylvania professional development activities engaged 545 educators for over 809 person days. These activities included two continuing from previous years - the Biotechnology Workshop led by the Muncy School District and Lycoming College and the PA Technology conference by the PA State Team. However, the focus was in expanding the IMAGES training, which included training-of-trainers in five locations throughout the state - statewide summer institute, North-Central Collaborative, Muhlenberg College, Harrisburg Diocese, and Chester County. These sessions used a training agenda that was developed to prepare participants to effectively implement sound mathematics content and standards-based approaches, as well as to train their peers. The state has approved IMAGES training for in-service credit and graduate credit through California University of Pennsylvania. In addition, many IMAGES follow-up workshops have been presented in various locations across state by persons trained in the summer institutes. Finally, an NCLB workshop was conducted for a statewide audience, and the NASA Endeavor Program was showcased in the Northeast region.

The Eisenhower Consortium activities are designed to meet high standards of design and impact. The latest evaluation of activities across the Mid-Atlantic region showed that over 96 percent of participants rated the professional development as aligned with state and/or national standards and focused on practices to attain high standards. In addition, over 92 percent rated the activities as useful in improving instructional practice, enhancing student performance, and improving student engagement.

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