Mixed Method Professional Development in Urban

Public SchoolsChicago Public Schools Science Perspective

D R . J O H N F. L O E H R , A C T I N G S C I E N C E D I R E C T O RC H I C A G O P U B L I C S C H O O L S

O F F I C E O F T E A C H I N G & L E A R N I N G - S C I E N C E

A P R E S E N TAT I O N G I V E N AT T H E FA L L C O N F E R E N C E O F T H E G R E AT C I T Y S C H O O L SO C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 0

TA M PA , F L O R I D A

Chicago Public Schools 3rd 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

Office of Teaching & Learning - Science

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

Professional Development - Science

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

CPS & NSTA Partnership 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

1st Wave Results

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

What’s Next

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 22nd

Digital Learning Communities• Continuation of the NSTA Learning Center

Partnership• Video lessons through Safari Montage

Questions?

John F. Loehr, Ph.D.Acting Science DirectorChicago Public SchoolsOffice of Teaching & Learning –

Science jfloehr@cps.k12.il.us773-553-6230