Experienced research scientists will apply their expertise to science
education research and report their findings to the broader science
education research community
An extensive research and evaluation plan has been designed to carefully
document the efficacy of the partnership. Higher education science faculty,
one postdoctoral research associate, and four graduate students will conduct
research related to the reform goals of the partnership. The project will rigorously
examine the necessary elements to recruit, produce, retain, and
maintain scientifically literate and competent teachers. Individual faculty will target specific research questions
connected to their role in the project. All partners - teachers, school districts,
colleges, and universities - will collect data and apply research findings to institute
necessary changes to achieve the project goals.
Broad research questions supported by the evaluation plan will assess whether the actions of the NCOSP will:
- Build a cadre of K-12 colleagues committed to partnership with higher education faculty as peers to support preservice, inservice, and novice teachers and improve student learning in science
- Reform school culture to support building-based, job-embedded professional development for all teachers of science and improve student learning
- Improve teacher practice through the integration of research-based science curriculum into preservice science methods courses
- Increase teacher content and pedagogical content knowledge through reforms in introductory science course sequences
- Create a multidisciplinary community of education researchers focused around an important research agenda
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