Preparing teachers to teach science consistent with current reforms in science education is a daunting enterprise given a lack of high-quality science professional development (PD) adaptable across various contexts (Wilson 2013). This study examines the impact of a comprehensive professional development program on middle school teachers'…

Pedagogic Content Knowledge (PCK) is variously considered a useful framework, construct, model and tool to both understand and help form the knowledge base for teaching. There exists extant literature on the PCK of science. Building on this literature, this study aims to contribute towards an understanding of implementing curriculum reforms in…

Specialized science courses (SSCs) integrate content knowledge (CK) with pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) and prepare pre-service teachers (PSTs) for reform-oriented teaching. Studies of individual SSCs report positive short-term outcomes, including an increase in self-efficacy and CK. However, few studies explore the longer-term impact of SSCs…

The implementation of educational reforms requires behavioral changes from the teachers involved. Theories on successful behavioral change prescribe the following conditions: teachers need to possess the necessary knowledge and skills, form strong positive intentions to perform the new behavior, and have a supporting environment for change.…

Over the past 10?years an increasing number of articles have been published in leading science education journals that report on research about teacher identity and describe interventions that support teacher identity development. My purpose in this review paper is to examine how the construct of science teacher identity has been conceptualised…

In order to enhance teachers' professional awareness, it is necessary to understand and value their subjective or personal knowledge and beliefs. This study investigated the change of science teachers' personal knowledge about teaching models and modeling in science within the context of educational reform in The Netherlands. The study followed…

This issue of The Progress of Education Reform focuses on what is more and more seen as a major stumbling block to change and improvement: the education, training and classroom practices of the nation?s K-12 science and math teachers. It summarizes recent research on the dimensions, causes, and already emerging consequences of the problem, and…

The professional development of teachers is a crucial element of the nation's efforts to improve education. In recent years, these efforts have sought to foster high standards for teaching and learning for all of the nation's children, and almost all states have met federal requirements for developing challenging statewide content standards.…

This study was designed to investigate the effect on teachers and their students of a model of professional development that immerses teachers in scientific inquiry appropriate to their classrooms while modeling the use of reform-based pedagogical strategies for teaching science. The course was designed and team taught as a collaborative effort…

Reports on an effort to improve articulation between science and education at Temple University. Describes the implementation of the cooperative controversy strategy into elementary science methods courses. Contains 26 references. (DDR)

The professional development of teachers is a crucial element of the nation's efforts to improve education. In recent years, these efforts have sought to foster high standards for teaching and learning for all of the nation's children, and almost all states have met federal requirements for developing challenging statewide content standards. Such…

Examines the current situation of mathematics and science integration, discusses the current body of related research, and examines the implication issues related to integrated curriculum projects. The conclusion calls for mathematics and science educators to work collaboratively to address implementation issues surrounding reform of any kind, and…

Partnering for Elementary Environmental Science, a professional development program developed to enhance teachers' skills and content knowledge in science education, pairs classroom teachers with resource professionals for one year of collaborative instruction. This paper reports part of the evaluation and research related to the program.…

Describes the experiences of Ethiopian science student teachers and considers factors affecting their professional development with regard to their practical work. Proposes ways in which the Ethiopian Ministry of Education might implement changes to practice in preservice teacher education in order to meet the objectives of new educational…

This report presents the results of a mail survey conducted to ascertain Texas elementary teachers' opinions of their level of preparedness to implement the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) science curriculum. Most of the teachers (89%) had read the TEKS science curriculum requirements, and many (55.9%) did not think the requirements…