PI: Highton, Thomas The Union City School District, a special needs district (Enterprise Zone) with a total enrollment of 9,017 students 94% of which are minorities, proposes a multi-year effort in collaboration with Institutions of Higher Education, which will increase the numbers of underrepresented minorities prepared and motivated to enroll in precollege SEM classes and to consider SMETE (Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Education) by enhancing teaching effectiveness in science and mathematics across K-12 grade levels. The proposed pilot project, Science and Math Alliance for a Successful Habitude (SMASH), will be a five year comprehensive professional development and assistance program for 315 elementary/middle (K- 8) and 50 secondary teachers, counselors, students and their parents with a particular focus on: standards based curriculum implementation, teachers enhancement and professional development, and raising counselors and parents knowledge of the bridging mechanisms that Facilitate educational transitions from one level to the next. The five year systemic project will involve several components: 1) a needs assessment to give direction to the project; 2) teacher enhancement to develop teaching skills and content mastery; 3) standard based curriculum implementation; and 4) teaching assistants component. Through the meeting, brainstorming, discussion and decision of teacher-led curriculum sequencing and articulation committees, the teaching process will be examined and new strategies deployed. All efforts will include full teacher participation. In-service training workshops will be provided for elementary/middle (K-8) and secondary grade level teachers to continue content knowledge and to explore the curriculum standards. The project will facilitate a continuing dialogue among K- 12 faculty throughout the grant period. The university personnel will work with the classroom teacher in the introduction of hands-on activities and management strategies and provide guidance in the content areas. In addition, counselors and parents will be also trained in hands-on science and math activities, and will be provided with information on SMETE precollege initiatives and SMET career opportunities. A "Tutorial Assistance" program will be implemented. A summative and formative evaluation process will be used to assure project improvement from the date of initial activity to the conclusion of our efforts. Methodologies will provide rapid feedback to assist in timely management intervention, planning and decision making, especially to eliminate unnecessary student failures. This proposed project will build upon existing reform initiatives already taking place in the Union City school district and its partner sites. Mr. Henry Cisneros, Secretary of HUD, has designated Union City as New Jersey's "Campus of learners", one of twenty-four nationwide. Union City is a Thrust H district for NJSSI and has been funded for a NSF/NIIE project entitled "Union City On-Line". Its statewide -partner site, NJIT has several NSF funded initiatives such as Young Scholars Programs, Females in Engineering Programs, Science and Math Education for the Special Education Population. Upon completion of the project grant period, the district will have developed an unique and meaningful curriculum not only on the elementary, middle, and secondary levels, but will possess a standard based curriculum that relates to outstanding post- secondary education at prestigious universities.
