The Math Science Partnership of Greater Philadelphia

A Program of the National Science Foundation at La Salle University

How to improve math and science education given the complexity of the system?

What role can Higher Ed faculty play in this

process?

How do we know if what we try is working?

R. Elmore - systems approach46% of new teachers leave within 5 years -R. Ingersoll

NSF Math - Science Partnership Program

70 projects nationwideVarying scope: targeted or comprehensive

www.mspnet.org

Mid-Atlantic Environment

- many small school districts- many small and medium sized colleges and universities.

MSPGP:

46 school districts; 13 IHEs

www.mspgp.org

Goal: Improve student achievement by increasingThe quality, quantity and diversity of the teacher workforce.

Interventions• How People Learn: research based teaching methods and

curriculum. • IHEs - revising their pre-service preparation programs• Working with in-service teachers during the year

• Summer institutes: – Co-designed by higher ed and secondary teacher.

• Learning Communities: – For principals– For curriculum coordinators– For teachers– For high ed faculty

Infection model of change via personal relationships

• Leadership Institute• Joint IHE - Secondary Pedagogy Seminar.

How People Learn

• 3 Key Principles:

– Previous knowledge including misconnceptions– Key Concepts (linked to factual knowledge)– Metacognition

Formative Assessment

= Assessment for Learning

Vs.

Summative Assessment

It’s all about the kids

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