9453150 Wright The Local Systemic Change Through Teacher Enhancement project is the result of a collaboration between five Alabama school districts and the University of Alabama, Huntsville (UAH). The project will combine resources from the school districts, UAH and local engineers and scientists to support a hands-on, module- based science curriculum. The curriculum to be implemented will include NSF funded STC, FOSS, and Insights materials as instructional modules. The five school districts will also support a Materials Resource Center that will supply and refurbish materials for teachers and provide professional development for teachers and principals. During this five-year project, 518 teachers will receive 100 hours of professional development and 102 selected lead teachers will receive substantial enhancement of 230-400 hours. This extensive training will build local capability for continued improvement after the project expires. The summer program focuses on the enhancement of the lead teachers. They will analyze progress made during the past year, plan follow-up activities and prepared new workshops for teachers and principals in the upcoming school year. They will provide leadership to the teachers in their schools for implementing change. Three of these lead teachers will be chosen to become full time project staff so they can conduct workshops, visit schools to assist in on-site enhancement, and guide district and multi-district teacher enhancement sessions. Lead teacher- principal teams will inform parents about the program. Cost sharing is 117% of the total NSF requested budget. ***
