This is a cooperative project for the development of teacher leadership in science and mathematics at the early childhood level. This two-year project will involve 67 participants in a three-week summer institute, four follow-up meetings during the school year, and a leadership retreat. Based on the successful Tri-County Mathematics Project (TCMP) model and supported by its trained leaders, this project includes participation by the Office of the Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools, Santa Barbara City College, the University of California Santa Barbara, and local school districts. The goals are to enhance preschool and primary teachers' knowledge of science and mathematics, develop a new cadre of early childhood education teacher fellows to bridge the gap between preschool and K-3, bring together teachers from different school districts for cooperative learning, link with TCMP for preschool-12 continuity, implement recommendations of California's School Readiness Task Force Report, and develop positive early science and mathematics experiences for young children and their families.
