PRiSSM
Funding: Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (through the Mathematics/Science Partnership Program); 3-Year Grant.
Partnership: Washington State University Vancouver, ESD 112, Evergreen SD, Goldendale SD, Kalama SD, Klickitat SD, North Thurston SD, Washougal SD
Principal Investigators: David Slavit, Tamara Holmlund Nelson
District Liaison and Evaluation Coordinator: Anne Kennedy
Project Director: Gloria Ferguson
Goal: Provide long-term professional development related to science and mathematics for teachers of grades 6-12 leading to conceptual and applicable student learning. These professional development experiences target increasing leadership capacity in individual buildings and strengthening the understanding and implementation of high quality teaching.
PLCs (professional learning communities) in Year 1 of PRiSSM consisted of 45 math and science lead teachers working across related middle and high schools on improved practice and expanded leadership potential. PLCs in Years 2 and 3 will involve lead teachers working with their building colleagues through a collaborative inquiry process. This phase of the PRiSSM project will greatly expand the number of teacher participants as well as target professional development at the building level. School and district administrators have played a significant role in the planning and implementation of PRiSSM to ensure alignment with and support for the quality of existing initiatives. Sustainability is an important goal of the PRiSSM project.
Activities: Lead teachers will participate in 40 hours of professional development in the summer (the Leadership Academy) and 40 hours during the year. Activities include week-long summer institutes focused on developing PLCs and high quality mathematics and science instruction, with follow-up institutes occurring in February. The bulk of the professional development occurs during ongoing PLC meetings as teachers, supported by a Facilitator, engage in collaborative inquiry on a self-selected focus of high quality learning and teaching. The inquiry cycle employs Research, Implementation, and Evaluation phases.
A Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant
Educational Service District 112, Washington State University Vancouver,
the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
