Description :  

IMPACTS! (IMproving Practice And Content knowledge for Teachers and Students) is a 3-year program designed to prepare middle grades science teachers with the content knowledge and instructional/assessment skills necessary to positively impact student achievement.  An experienced project team includes University faculty from science and education and two award-winning former classroom science teachers.  A full-time site coordinator provides continuous oversight of the project.  Project staff and school system personnel work closely to plan and oversee the project. 

Twenty-eight Monroe City School System science teachers in grades 6-8 and four high school science teachers funded by Monroe City participate in the program each year.  LA GEAR UP teachers and Monroe City 5^th grade teachers participate in the program as space allows. Content focus varies each year (Year 1-Physical Science; Year 2-Life Science; Year 3-Earth Science) and is aligned with state standards and grade level expectations.  Experimental design/data analysis/scientific inquiry are focused upon each year. 

Year 1 goals include

1. Improved participant content knowledge.

2. Increased classroom implementation of student centered, standards-based instruction/assessment.

3. Improved student achievement and attitudes.

Program components include

1. 12-day summer institute, July 8-July 23, 2004.

2. Day-long Reflective Reunion focusing on goal setting and the development of a year-long implementation plan, August 2004.

3. Four Saturday workshops, two in the fall and two in the spring.

4. Electronic networking.

5. Two academic year projects (each equivalent to 12 hours professional development) focusing on science research projects and classroom action research.

6. Videotaping and review of two participant projects.

7. Classroom visits by project staff.

8.  A strong evaluation component.

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Principal Investigator:  Ramsey, Linda  --  Biological Sciences

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Collaborators:  

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Funding Agencies:  US Dept. of Education through Monroe City Schools

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Amount Awarded:  $74,229

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Start Period:  04/01/2004

End Period:  09/30/2005