1. Strengthening Standards: Revitalizing and Extending the General Science Broadfield Certification Paula M. Lutz, Dean; CLS Larry Baker, Dean; CEHHD Elisabeth Swanson, Mary Leonard, Peggy Taylor Montana State University

2. General Science Broadfield: Strengths and Challenges Provides science teachers with multidisciplinary preparation. Provides schools with flexible staffing. Struggles to prepare teachers who are highly qualified in each discipline in a 4- year UG program.

3. Goal: To better prepare General Science Broadfield (GSB) Teachers in all subject areas. Why? Increase ability of Montana schools to offer advanced programs of study. Improve the readiness of Montana students for college science. Meet the need for GSB majors for post-bac education to achieve ‘highly qualified’ status.

4. MSU’s Dual Strategy Revisit the Broadfield program at the UG level, re-structuring as needed. Identify current or develop new graduate offerings to allow GSB teachers to achieve single subject science certification in 2 or 3 science disciplines within five years of graduation.

5. Timeline for MSU Efforts April-August 2010—Data collection to inform planning efforts. - Survey school districts. - Compare Montana’s GSB requirements with those of other western states. - Research funding needs and sources. September 2010-May 2011—Planning and implementing change. - Review GSB UG program of study and recommend revisions to current policies and practices. - Plan and implement graduate certificate programs for post-bac education of GSB majors with the goal of single subject endorsements in 2-3 science disciplines. - Pursue grant funding to supply external resources.

6. Questions?