Improving Teacher Preparation Society Style John W. Layman University of Maryland

1. Improving Teacher Preparation Society Style John W. Layman University of Maryland

2. The Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC)

3. Problems Students graduating with unacceptably low levels of science and mathematical knowledge and skills Teachers being described as possessing inadequate preparation in content and pedagogy

4. Problem/Solution? Our colleges and universities prepare these teachers Our colleges and universities prepare these teachers

5. Bold Statement “The ongoing and overwhelming need for In-service teacher enhancement programs in physics at the most basic level points to the to the failure of programs at the university level to adequately prepare students for classroom teaching.” (Shaping theFuture, NSF, 1996)

6. Call To Action In 1999, the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers, and the American Institute of Physics endorsed a policy statement calling for physics departments and their faculty to become more involved in K-12 teacher preparation.

7. A Collaborative Response The Physics Teacher Education Coalition PhysTEChttp:/www.phystec.org

8. PhysTEC is a program to improve the science preparation of future K-12 teachers It requires physics and education faculty to work together to provide a preparation for future teachers that emphasizes an interactive engagement and student-centered approach to learning science PhysTEC Program

9. A Teacher-in-Residence (TIR) program that provides for a local K-12 master teacher to become a full-time participant in assisting faculty in course revisions and team-teaching, and to act as a “reality check” for both preservice teachers and university faculty. Program Components

10. The redesign of content and pedagogy for targeted physics and science methods courses based on results from physics education research with an emphasis on inquiry-based, hands-on approaches to teaching and learning Program Components

11. The establishment of an Induction andMentoring program conducted by TIRs and other master teachers to improve the retention of novice science teachers, during their initial years of teaching. Program Components

12. The participation of physics faculty in the improvement and expansion of school experiences for their students. Program Components

13. Long Term VISION A self-sustaining Coalition of institutions with the common goal of producing more and better-prepared science teachers committed to student-centered,inquiry-based, hands-on approaches to learning

14. That will result in Students who are thoroughly competent in meeting the standards for content and process skills as described in the National Science Education Standards (NRC) and the Benchmarks of Project 2061 (AAAS). VISION (cont.)

15. American Physical Society (APS) American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) American Institute of Physics (AIP) Major Players

16. Primary Program Institutions Seven University and College Partners A diverse mix of large, medium and small institutions All sharing a strong commitment to implement the PhysTEC Components

17. The seven institutions are: Ball State University Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo Oregon State University University of Arizona University of Arkansas Western Michigan University Xavier University of Louisiana

18. To work with physics departments, as they collaborate with departments or schools of education and local schools, to improve the preparation of physics, physical science, and elementary teachers. To create mentor and induction programs for PhysTEC graduates. GOALS

19. To inform the physics and education communities of the outcomes, scholarship, and exemplary programs through conferences and publications of the APS, AAPT, AIP, and the PhysTEC Website. www.phystec.org GOALS (cont.)

20. PhysTEC targets: undergraduate science majors who might consider careers as secondary science teachers. all preservice elementary teachers because they will have responsibility for science teaching The Audience

21. PhysTEC-targeted courses will be taken by a large fraction ofstudents enrolled in introductory physics courses. Physics departments that model student-centered approaches in their introductory courses will improve the teaching and learning for all students including those who become teachers. The Audience

22. Course Reform - Laboratory programs University of Arizona Western Michigan University University of Arkansas California Polytecnic at San Luis Obispo Major Activities

23. Mentoring -Ball State University TIR, Mentor, Mentee- Organization Special summer program at the AAPT Summer Meeting PhysTEC, AAPT PTRA, Knowles Fellows Major Activities

24. Major Achievement The creation of a Teacher Preparation Committee Within the American Association of Physics Teachers

25. Create A Culture Change within Physics and Education Ultimate Challenge

26. PhysTEC Evaluation Formal Project Evaluation has been contracted to The Momentum Group lead by Karen Johnston

27. PhysTEC Advisory Committee An Advisory Committee provides on-going advice and counsel to the project. Robert Beck Clark George Trilling Lillian McDermott Paul Hickman Sandra Harpole Len Jossem

28. The National Science Foundation: a five-year, $5.76 million grant. The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education: a three-year, $498 thousand grant to enhance the evaluation, induction, and dissemination components of the PhysTEC program. Current Support

29. New SupportAn APS fundraising campaign will expand the Primary Program Institutions by at least six sites.

30. Fredrick Stein PI/PD, Director of Education and Outreach (APS) Jack Hehn Co-PI, Director of Education Division (AIP) John Layman Co-PI, Professor Emeritus at UMD (AAPT) Warren Hein, Associate Executive Officer (AAPT) Leadership Team

31. PhysTEC Leadership Team, plus Kevin Aylesworth, Project Coordinator (APS) Ed Lee, Project Associate (APS) Hal Richtol, Site Visit Consultant Management Team

32. Coalition MembershipPhysTEC invites physics departments at colleges and universities to apply for Coalition membership.

33. Coalition MembershipCoalition members are departments that have implemented or are interested in implementing one or more of the PhysTEC Program Components.

34. Coalition members can take advantage of PhysTEC resources including the opportunity of attending special programs, conferences and other events Coalition Membership

35. Coalition MembershipContact us at phystec@aps.org