Sharon M. Chambers

Inquiry Science Professional Development Combined with a Science Summer Camp for Immediate Application

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intensive three-week science institute for preservice and inservice elementary teachers that was funded by an Eisenhower Professional Development grant and a Regents’ Initiative Research grant. The institute was held in combination with a summer science camp for elementary children. Pre-and post-assessments indicated an increased level of comfort with inquiry-based teaching, as well as an increase in content and pedagogical knowledge. On an open-ended questionnaire, the teachers indicated that the opportunity for immediate application of their own learning with children in the camp was a valuable part of the program.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND HIGHER EDUCATION: A JOINT VENTURE

The shortage of K-12 teachers across the nation has prompted the establishment of new teacher preparation venues. A unique partnership has been formed between a community college and a four-year institution to provide teacher preparation and a Masters degree. Historically, only four-year institutions of higher education have been authorized to prepare K-12 teachers. However, in an unprecedented move, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has changed the certification rules to recognize community colleges as an additional venue for providing professional educational preparation. Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) was the first community college in Texas, as well as in the nation, to be authorized to prepare teachers. Texas A&M University--Commerce, with its strong history of professional education programs, has modified university procedures to consider the awarding of graduate credit for experiential learning in order to meet the emerging state educational needs. As a result, A&M--Commerce has joined with CCCCD to provide a bridge from the community college K-12 teacher certification program to graduate degrees from the four-year institution.