This proposal will provide training over a two and one-half year period to enhance content preparation for 60 under- prepared or uncertified intermediate school teachers in minority districts in New York. Under the aegis of the City College of New York, CUNY and in cooperation with local school districts and the Bronx High School of Science Regional Resource Center (funded by the Department of Education), the City College will establish 3 District Resource Centers for intermediate school science teachers in the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, and Queens. The project entitled "Science in the Twenty-First Century: The Science 21 Project", will provide training to the 60 teachers in minority school districts through linking college courses focused on the content of the middle school curriculum with training in inquiry pedagogy provided by university and Regional Center trained peer leaders to be located in the boroughs of the Community School Districts listed above. For each of the designated years of the project, a cohort of 30 under-prepared and/or uncertified intermediate/junior high school science teachers per year (for a total of 60 participants) will attend courses given by the City College five days per week for four weeks (90 hours) and earn tuition free graduate credits. During the course of the project the teachers will have taken courses in physical science, life science, and earth science, earning six tuition-free graduate credits per course totalling 18 graduate credits. Training will take place during the summer and the academic year. In summary, through teaching content to under-prepared teachers in minority school districts, the program is enabling teachers to provide appropriate content to their students and to increase their own professional standing. Through linking the City College School of Education, the Bronx Science Regional Resource Center and local school districts, a network of trained teacher leaders is being created who will be in place as local trainers after the conclusion of the project and who will have ongoing access to the resources of the supporting institutions. Cost sharing equals 72% of the NSF award.
