The University of California, Berkeley, seeks funding for a five-year program: A Model Program for the Preparation of Mathematics and Science Teachers at the Secondary Level. The project will serve a model Credential-Plus-Master Degree program for preservice teachers in mathematics and science with research and program development components. The program for teachers is based on the following premises: a solid preparation in mathematics and/or science; knowledge of and participation in state-of-the-art research on teaching and learning; and extensive experience in the use of instructional technology. The certificate program normally takes a year to complete at UC-Berkeley; however, this program will include the master level work and a total design change from traditional teacher preparation programs. For example, instead of a one-semester student teaching experience, the students will work in schools throughout the project. Senior faculty members will be involved in teaching the courses and the unifying seminar. Faculty, graduate students, and inservice mentor teachers will work with all aspects of the school-based experiences and seminars. There is an important component of professional development and preparation for graduate students to become future leaders in mathematics and science education. The research component is intended to help mathematics and science educators learn more about the preparation of teachers in the disciplines and how such a program might be implemented elsewhere. In particular, the research will focus on: the role of videoportfolios in teacher development; how teacher beliefs affect their classroom practices, and how those beliefs evolve; the effects of the teacher preparation on the research and teaching of the graduate faculty; and how the "school cultures" in the schools where students are placed interact with what they study in the program. The amount of non-NSF cost-sharing by the University of California at Berkeley is 45% of the total budget requested from NSF.
