Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE The Impact of High Quality Professional Development in Science on the Learning of Diverse Students George D. Nelson, Director Science, Mathematics, & Technology Education 2012 WABE Conference

True Confessions I am in no way an expert in bilingual education We have not used ELL research to inform our work—YET I am here to learn from you

What We Have Done Improved teacher content and pedagogical content knowledge Improved school cultures Improved student achievement, especially traditionally low achieving students By joining forces, we could make even more progress

Challenges In P-5, Reading, Writing, and Math dominate the time—with support from principals and district leaders—leaving little room for science, social studies, PE, or the arts. WA ranks 46 th among the states in the amount of science taught in elementary school High needs students (poor, underrepresented, and special education) achieve at lower levels at all grade levels, in all schools (even high achieving schools) New and compelling research on effective teaching and school leadership is not being put into practice in preservice programs or with practicing teachers

Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE Higher Education Collaborators Physics: Jim Stewart 1, Andrew Boudreaux 1,,George Nelson 1, Sara Julin 2, Ann Zukoski 3, Linda Zuvich 4, Ted Williams 5 Biology: Deb Donovan 1, Carolyn Landel 1, Alejandro Acevedo 1, John Rousseau 2, Val Mullen 3, Rene Kratz 4, Pam Pape-Lindstrom 4, Adib Jamshedi 5 Geology: Scott Linneman 1, Sue DeBari 1, Bob Mitchell 1, Bernie Dugan 2, Brad Smith 3, Ben Fackler-Adams 3, Steve Grupp 4, Terri Plake 5 Chemistry: Steve Gammon 1, Emily Borda 1, Paul Frazey 2,3 Science Education: Chris Ohana 1, Jacob Blickenstaff 1 (Physics), Liesl Hohenshell 1 (Biology), Don Burgess 1 (Biology), Molly Lawrence 1 Evaluation:, Dan Hanley 1, Jim Minstrell 6, Ruth Anderson 6, Phil Buly 1, Many Graduate Students 1 1 Western Washington U, 2 Whatcom CC, 3 Skagit Valley C, 4 Everett CC, 5 Northwest Indian College, 6 FacetInnovations Inc.

NCOSP Activities Three years of intensive summer PD and higher education staff development Two additional years supporting collaboration New content and methods courses for preservice teachers Engagement of building administrators

Teacher Leaders: Content Knowledge

Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE Based on Science Scale Score controlled for Student Performance factors 5 th Grade 8 th Grade 10 th Grade Effect Size Creating Value Added

Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE th Grade 8 th Grade 10 Grade * * * * * * * * * * * * Significant difference (t-test, p<.05) Impact of Teacher Leaders on Students with the Greatest Needs

CRISP and SPECK-8 Partnerships between SMATE and 6 school districts –Led by Master Teacher with support from WWU Commitment to participate from principal and team of teachers in each school WWU supports professional learning communities (PLCs) in the schools to collaborate to improve their science content knowledge and their instruction –Six-day summer academy, two one- day workshops focused on developing shared beliefs, science content, research-based pedagogy, and collaboration –Monthly PLC meetings to plan and reflect on changes to instruction, engage with relevant research –Peer observations and support for instructional changes Research and evaluation of project and impact

Changes in teachers’ knowledge and skills in Year 2.

CRISP 10 th Grade Science Score Improvement 2010

SPECK-8 8 th Grade Science Score Improvement 2010

YearNeah Bay High School Washington State Reading %72.9% %78.8% Math %47.5% %41.6% Writing %65.2% %85.9% Science %35.8% %44.7% Transitional Bilingual

Conclusions Understanding Content and PCK is critical to effective instruction Effective instruction helps all students learn and helps close traditional gaps Learning from each other will help us AND, most importantly, children do better

Supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE Thank you! Questions?