ERIC Number: ED496317
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Feb
Pages: 57
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Preliminary Case Study of SCALE Activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison: Factors Influencing Change Initiatives in STEM Undergraduate Education, Teacher Training, and Partnerships with K-12 Districts. WCER Working Paper No. 2007-2
Hora, Matthew T.; Millar, Susan B.
Wisconsin Center for Education Research (NJ1)
This report on the SCALE Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) Case Studies line of work provides preliminary findings about SCALE activities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison). This study focuses on the structural and behavioral dynamics influencing the implementation of the four core SCALE strategies for effecting change in IHEs: (1) reform undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses; (2) promote collaboration between STEM and education departments regarding pre-service teacher education; (3) promote collaboration between IHEs and K-12 districts regarding in-service professional development; and (4) improve institutional policies and practices at the IHE level that support faculty engaged in pre- and in-service activities. Preliminary findings indicate that SCALE is making progress in each of these areas. Through the Math Masters and Immersion Unit professional development programs for K-12 math and science teachers, SCALE is engaging STEM faculty in learning and modeling inquiry-based pedagogy, which is influencing the faculty's conception of their own teaching and of K-12 issues. Through the co-construction of professional development materials and the co-facilitation of the actual professional development sessions, SCALE is introducing a new, more collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership between UW-Madison and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD). The emerging partnership between the UW-Madison Mathematics Department and MMSD is resulting in greater faculty attention to K-12 issues and in institutional support for the continuation of the Math Masters program from both partner organizations. SCALE is also leading interdepartmental efforts to revise the pre-service math and science curriculum for elementary and middle school teacher candidates. (Contains 2 figures, 2 tables, and 1 footnote.)
Descriptors: Measures (Individuals), Preservice Teacher Education, Case Studies, Undergraduate Study, Science Curriculum, Professional Development, College School Cooperation, Partnerships in Education, Program Implementation, Educational Change, Change Strategies, Educational Policy, Policy Formation, Program Effectiveness, Educational Research, Research Methodology, Mathematics Education
Wisconsin Center for Education Research. School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1025 West Johnson Street Suite 785, Madison, WI 53706. Tel: 608-263-4200; Fax: 608-263-6448; e-mail: uw-wcer@education.wisc.edu; Web site: http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/publications/workingpapers.index.php
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation, Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Wisconsin Center for Education Research, Madison.
Identifiers - Location: Wisconsin
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A


