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| The choice of school district partners was strategic.
WWU, serving as a hub for Catalysts for Reform activities,
is within 30 minutes drive of all partner districts,
providing convenient access to university resources
and fulfilling the effectiveness criteria of proximity
(Williams, 2002). Each district is in the process
of adopting science curriculum materials and establishing
instructional methods for the next decade. The partner
districts all share a commitment to transforming
how science is taught in middle school (Wagner,
1998) and recognize the role of investigation-centered
materials in ensuring all students have the opportunity
to succeed in science (Berns, 2001; Bredderman,
1983; Shamansky, Hedges, & Woodworth 1990; Amaral,
Garrison, & Klentschy 2002). The choice to concentrate
the Catalyst for Reform project goals on grades
7 and 8 addresses immediate science reform needs
at the middle school level. Catalysts for Reform
will provide the essential forum for middle school
teachers in the partner districts to succeed in
their professional transformation and improve middle
school student learning for years beyond the grant. |
| WWU has a long history of partnership with the
Bellingham School District (BSD). Our teacher preparation
programs place many practicum and internship students
in their classrooms; BSD teachers serve on numerous
advisory boards for WWU programs. BSD is in the
first of a two-year curriculum review and adoption
for middle and high school science and Dr. Linneman,
project PI, serves on this committee at the invitation
of the teachers and curriculum director. The adoption
will be completed during the 2003-2004 school year.
Professional development activities will commence
in the summer of 2004 for implementation in the
2004-2005 school year. |
| Burlington-Edison School District (BESD) is a
small rural school district composed of five K-8
schools and one high school. BESD is in the process
of implementing a five-year plan for science education
reform after participating in a Washington State
LASER Strategic Planning Institute. Currently, the
7th and 8th grade science curricula consists of
inquiry-based life, earth, and physical science
kits in addition to textbook-based instruction.
As part of the five-year strategic plan, additional
research-based science kits are being phased into
the middle school science curriculum each year. |
| The Lummi Nation operates the Lummi Tribal School
(LTS), grades K-12, and supports a 98% Native American
student body. The LTS has partnered with the Washington
Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement
(MESA) program to provide enriching opportunities
in mathematics, engineering, and science for underrepresented
students, exemplary curriculum materials, and professional
development for the elementary teachers. The LTS
principal and middle school teachers are committed
to adopting research-based science materials and
instructional methods, building on the reform efforts
underway in the elementary grades. |
| Mount Vernon School District (MVSD) is a small,
rural school district supporting a diverse student
population, with 41% Hispanic students. Guided by
LASER, MVSD has adopted and implemented research-based
science curricula at the elementary level. The PI
is involved in the concomitant professional development
activities with the elementary teachers. The middle
school teachers are anxious to join this reform
movement and have invited members of the SMATE faculty
to work with them on their curriculum selection
and implementation scheduled for the 2004-2005 school
year. |
| Nooksack Valley School District (NVSD) has also
participated in a Strategic Planning Institute (SPI)
provided by LASER and adopted a research-based elementary
science curriculum. The existing middle school science
curriculum is a mixture of textbook-based instruction
with problem-based learning experiences supporting
science investigations connected to the local context.
The NVSD teachers are committed to deepening their
understanding of science teaching and learning to
build on their experience of fostering inquiry in
their learners. |
| Ferndale School District (FSD) was a new addition to the GK-12
Partnership in the 2006-2007 academic year. Both Horizon Middle School
and Vista Middle School have participating Partner Teachers. The district
serves over 5000 students from a mainly rural area. Demographically, the
Ferndale School District is about 75% white, 10% American Indian, 10% Hispanic
and 5 % other minorities. The FSD also participates in the North Cascades
and Olympic Science Partnership project. Through this project, science
teachers have participated in several science education reform initiatives
that have brought a deeper understanding to the teaching and learning of science.
Both Horizon and Vista Middle School are currently piloting research based
kit curricula for possible implementation in the next couple of years.
We are proud to have this local school district as a partner in our work to
improve the science teaching and learning for all students. |
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