9555671 Parravano This Local Systemic change project will involve each of the four districts Linden, Rahway and Readington Township Public Schools in New Jersey and the North Penn School District in Pennsylvania that entered into partnership with the Merck Institute (MISE) in 1993. The progress, impact and effects of this partnership have been documented by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE). Each district is currently at a different stage in SMT reform. A 5 year project to promote effective science, mathematics and technology teaching in grades K-8 is now proposed. The target population is 825 teachers in 35 schools. A professional development program will have four components lead-teacher institutes, peer teacher workshops, district inservice and additional professional development opportunities. A perservice/inservice collaboration with local colleges and universities is planned. Components to engage key stakeholders in the project; administrators, school board members, community members and parents in all partner districts are included. A comprehensive evaluation of the program will be continued by CPRE. Total Request $2,412,812 from NSF. Cost Share $4,743,449.
