NSF CETP-PA
Purpose
The National Science Foundation Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation in Pennsylvania (NSF CETP-PA) is a systemic reform initiative of the science and mathematics teacher preparation programs of 12 campuses of the PA State System of Higher Education. Strong assessment and dissemination components accompany a comprehensive program of cultural change that can serve as a national model.
Goals
During this project scientists, mathematicians and educators from State System of Higher Education campuses are collaborating to:
- Change selected university content courses taken by education students to reflect research-based effective pedagogy
- Supplement the math and science content of science and math education courses
- Introduce the paired supervision of science and math student teachers by content and pedagogy specialists
- Provide consistency in experiences received by science and math education majors between their revised university courses, their field experiences and induction period
- Increase efforts at recruitment of underrepresented and minority public school students to pursue careers in teaching science and mathematics
- Sponsor K-12 professional development activities at each State System university, so all K-12 teachers have the knowledge, skills and commitment to teach mathematics and science that reflect the content and constructivist strategies contained in state and national standards
- Support an infrastructure and culture that promotes excellence in the preparation of elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers
Projected Outcomes
Faculty from grades K-16 will team together to facilitate:
- New and revised curricula in science, math, and elementary teacher preparation programs
- The establishment and operation of science and math centers on each CETP-PA university campus
- Professional development in content and pedagogy for preservice teachers, university faculty, and public school teachers
- Strengthened field supervision and induction periods for new teachers
- Joint recruitment efforts to attract students to the teaching of science and mathematics
Partners
- PA State System of Higher Education/PA Academy for the Profession of Teaching and Learning
- 12 State System universities, 11 community colleges, more than 250 school districts
Strategies
- Team with 11 community colleges and more than 250 public schools
- Promote and support consistent statewide collaboration and professional development activities coupled with local program initiatives
- Promote and support content and pedagogy course revision and adoption by teaming K-16 faculty to revise and/or develop selected science, math, and education courses
- Develop a cadre of K-16 science and math teachers as leaders in their own educational setting
- Establish science/math/technology centers linked together and with local institutions and public schools. The role of each Center is:
- to promote collaboration between preservice, in-service, and university faculty
- to sponsor educational opportunities
- to provide resource materials online and through a distribution network
- to support science, mathematics and technology programs, especially those involving teacher preparation
Contact Information
Dr. Terry L. Peard
Project Director
2986 N. 2nd St.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
(800) 487-4899
(724) 720-4212
(724) 720-4447 Fax
Website Address
For specific activities and project successes, please visit the project website at http://www.cetp-pa.iup.edu/