The 2009 Connecticut Teacher Quality Partnership Program awarded $863,194 in grants for eight institutes: five in science, two in math, and one in art and music. The Department of Higher Education facilitates the program, which is authorized by Title II of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
PROJECT : USING LESSON STUDY TO DEVELOP ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS TEACHER LEADERS: ALBERTUS MAGNUS COLLEGE ($105,000)
This institute will prepare 45 elementary school teachers from Ansonia , Branford, Hamden and New Haven in numerical and algebraic reasoning, geometry and measurement. Teachers will learn effective ways of assessing student learning, addressing various learning styles and establishing learning teams in their schools. Participants are eligible to receive 6 continuing education units. Contact: Loel Tronsky, 203/773-8561
PROJECT: INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE, INQUIRY AND LITERACY TRAINING:
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY ($106,030)
The Connecticut River Valley serves as the context for this institute designed for 25 middle school teachers from Cromwell, Hartford, Vernon and Wethersfield. Guided by biology and geology faculty, teachers will explore the physical aspects of the state's ecosystems and learn to integrate science instruction and student assessment with literacy and research strategies. Field trips to Hammonasset State Park , the Thimble Islands and the trap rock ridges in Berlin are scheduled. Contact: Jeffrey Thomas, 860/832-2934
PROJECT: A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST, A PATH TO THE FUTURE:
THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM ($92,000)
The Children's Museum, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology and the University of Hartford have formed a partnership to prepare 30 elementary school teachers from Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford and West Hartford in astronomy, force and motion, and optics. Teachers will design and launch rockets, build telescopes to see a “glimpse of the past” and create lesson plans and student assessments aligned with State standards. Contact: Gina Federico Muslim, 860/231-2824
PROJECT: SCIENCE MATTERS! BUILDING CONTENT AND LITERACY KNOWLEDGE:
EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY ($110,000)
University faculty will model effective teaching practices and hands-on learning activities as well as provide content instruction in science, technology and literacy for 30 elementary teachers from Killingly, Madison , Norwich , Somers and Windham during this institute. One day will be spent at the new Connecticut Science Center and other days will involve representatives from Project Learning Tree and the Institute for Sustainable Energy. Contact: Jeanelle Day, 860/564-4532
PROJECT: MATHEMATICAL MODELING: A BRIDGE TO SECONDARY AND COLLEGE MATHEMATICS:
EASTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY ($90,000)
Bridging the gap between high school and college-level mathematics is the intent of this institute offered to 25 middle and high school teachers from Killingly, Norwich, Norwich Free Academy, Windham and Windsor. Teachers will increase their math and technological content knowledge and implement literacy instructional practices as they build partnerships with university faculty and mentor other teachers in their schools. The goal is to lower student enrollment in university-level developmental mathematics courses. Contact: Hari Koirala, 860/465-4556
PROJECT: ENHANCING SCIENCE TEACHING:
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY ($100,000)
Designed for 30 middle and high school teachers from Bridgeport , this project seeks to deepen teachers' understanding of the State science standards including the nature of science, inquiry-based approaches and the social and personal aspects of science. Faculty will guide teachers in conducting research projects in their classrooms during the school year which will be presented at a university sponsored symposium. Contact: Aidin Amirshokoohi, 203/254-4000, ext. 2079 or Mahsa Kazempour, 203/254-4000, ext. 2106
SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY ($115,000)
Strengthening teaching skills in the physical sciences using inquiry-based approaches, performance-based assessment and technology is the focus of this institute conducted with Cooperative Education Services and designed for 32 elementary school teachers from Bridgeport , Fairfield , Monroe , Norwalk , Trumbull and Waterbury . Teachers will use district-supplied curriculum kits to create lesson plans on magnetism, electricity, motion and friction. Teachers may receive 3 graduate credits. Contact: Paul Massey, 203/396-8350 or Kevin Klemme, 203/365-8833
