The Salish Kootenai College Rural Systemic Initiative (SKC RSI-Phase II) will result in a transformation of the educational experience for both teachers and students. Professional development for teachers, adoption of effective assessment strategies, and promotion of community involvement in the educational process will enhance the quality and quantity of the learning experience for students in science, mathematics, and technology within and beyond the school walls. The classroom teacher is the key to the effectiveness of the delivery of curricular changes to the individual student. In the SKC RSI project, the primary goal is to have every teacher achieve the status of "master teacher" and to have every student achieve the status of "master learner." It is important to understand that the journey of the educational experience Is a balanced effort between teachers and students.
The overall goal of this proposal is to implement a comprehensive, sustainable, adaptable system-wide reform of science, mathematics and technology instruction and learning on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. This will lead to increased achievement for all students and specifically emphasizes greater achievements for two groups of under-served populations in this rural setting: Native American students and girls.
SKC is the resource identifier for science, mathematics, and technology areas and has already developed coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences. SKC will, in effect, become a "mini clearinghouse" for science, mathematics, and technology (SMT) areas using American Indian-specific teaching and learning materials in professional development in SMT areas for teachers and students. SKC is currently preparing assessment strategies and activities that will be shared with other TCRSI projects.
Other major goals are the improvement of science, mathematics, and technology education on the Flathead Indian Reservation including access to high quality, standards-based instruction for all students, innovative use of educational technologies for interactive delivery and the training of the teaching workforce to meet the demands of a new instructional paradigm. Rigorous, standards-based instruction for all students will be implemented on the Flathead Indian Reservation and the curriculum, professional development, and assessment systems to support that instruction. The development of the policy changes and resource allocations to support these efforts are the long-term goal of the SKC RSI Program.
