NSF $3.9 million spurs support
for science and math preparation

by Mary Lisa Russell

When it comes to teaching science and math to our children in the next few years, Valley educators will be better prepared - thanks to a National Science Foundation project funded at $2.1 million with a total budget of more than $3.9 million.

Led by Fresno State project director David M. Andrews, the newly established Fresno Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation (FCETP) will use the grant to develop a comprehensive science and mathematics teacher recruitment, support, and preparation program for grades 7-12.

The Valley's key stakeholders in the FCETP are Fresno State, Fresno City College and Fresno Unified School District.

Andrews, a professor of biology and science education at the university, said that several hundred prospective and practicing science and mathematics teachers could be impacted by the program in the three-year-long project.

Besides the Fresno site, there are three other CETP sites in the state, including Los Angeles, Long Beach and the San Jose/Bay Area, said Andrews. The total funding for all four sites exceeds $14 million.

"The FCETP will strengthen the linkage between Fresno State and FCC preservice teacher preparation and FUSD in-service teacher professional development programs in science and math," Andrews said.

Future teachers will benefit from the exposure to both college and university academic expertise as well as working with veteran classroom teachers in the comprehensive teacher program, Andrews said.

According to Andrews, when new teachers find themselves in the classroom, the gap between their preparation and the expectations of the school district can be disheartening.

FCETP addresses this concern by providing early field experiences that place future science and math teachers in classrooms as teacher aides at the beginning of their undergraduate programs, which better prepares them for teaching.

FCETP also provides a support program for new science and math teachers and interns. Efforts such as these should ultimately reduce the need for "re-training" of teachers, Andrews said.

Incentives for teachers involved with the program include academic year support, summer institutes, special mentoring, paid internships and other support efforts. These incentives are designed to lead future teachers into enhanced programs that will ultimately benefit their students.

Co-investigators on the project are Mr. Carlos Garcia, FUSD superintendent of schools, and Dr. Susan Phillips-Speece, FCC dean of science, mathematics and engineering.