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2004 NSF K-12 Math, Science, and Technology Curriculum Developers Conference

Implementation of EarthComm in Los Angeles Unified School District: Lessons Learned in Professional Development

Michael J. Smith
Rod E. Brame
Laura L. Middaugh

In association with seven mentor-coaches from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), staff of the American Geological Institute (AGI) conducted three workshops for a total of 101 teachers in January, April, and June of 2003. Each workshop gave teachers 12 to 18 hours of training on the pedagogy, earth science content, literacy strategies, assessment methods, correlation to California standards, and Internet-resources associated with the Earth’s Dynamic Geosphere module of EarthComm. Teachers rated the workshops highly. Comparisons of pre- and post-tests of teacher subject matter knowledge revealed an average gain of 7% in teachers’ knowledge about earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonic theory in the workshops. Most teachers reported leaving the workshops feeling prepared and comfortable with the content and approach to the course, with 93 of the 101 teachers noting that they planned to teach the module. An AGI survey of teachers showed that 12 teachers had used the curriculum and that 12 teachers plan to do so. Comparisons of pre and post-test scores across a sampling of six classrooms (193 students) revealed an average gain of 17%. Evaluation of student work shows a good to very good application of concepts to earth science issues. LAUSD mentor coaches and AGI staff are gathering additional survey responses from the remaining 69 teachers.

This project is supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant No. ESI-0352345). Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.