Chicago Public Schools Science Perspective DR. JOHN F. LOEHR, ACTING SCIENCE DIRECTOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE OF TEACHING & LEARNING - SCIENCE A PRESENTATION GIVEN AT THE FALL CONFERENCE OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS OCTOBER 21, 2010 TAMPA, FLORIDA

 3 rd largest school system in the United States 675 Schools  482 elementary schools (K-8)  122 high schools (9-12)  71 Charter Schools 409,279 students  Predominately Minority  Predominately Low Income Approximately 19,306 Teachers

 Support Science Teaching & Learning in ALL schools at ALL Grades Then Large, Autonomous Focus on Implementation Targeted Support Many Activities Little Connection Now Streamlined, Integrated Focus on Resources Expanded Support Limited Activities Greater Connection

 Don’t throw everything out Recommended curriculum support Maintain contact hours  Keep the teachers in the classroom No school day sessions  Give teachers what they ask for Opportunities to collaborate Mix of presenters Provide choice  Increase the number of participants Offer more than curriculum implementation sessions Move beyond face-to-face Leverage existing opportunities

 Multi-year professional development collaboration  Delivered via the NSTA Science Learning Center  Cohort of 24 teachers participated this summer  Two program options Space Science Activities (NASA IDEA Grant) Environmental Science  Receive support from Online Advisors  Starting additional cohorts this year

 Teachers collected and tagged 267 e-resources  All designed lessons that incorporate their new knowledge into classroom instruction  63% of participants have completed all elements of the program  All teachers who completed post assessments display knowledge gains

 Science Academy Mixed method professional development program  Combination of face-to-face and webinars  Reach at least 1,000 teachers/year Two Program Strands  Curriculum Implementation  Pedagogical Content Knowledge Launches January 22 nd  Digital Learning Communities Continuation of the NSTA Learning Center Partnership Video lessons through Safari Montage

John F. Loehr, Ph.D. Acting Science Director Chicago Public Schools Office of Teaching & Learning – Science