Transforming Teaching in Math and Science: How Schools and Districts Can Support Change

by Gamoran, Adam

• ISBN13: 9780807743096
• ISBN10: 0807743097
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-01
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr

Summary

Teachers often want to learn new ideas and approaches to improve their teaching, but their efforts are often blocked by structural constraints in their districts and schools. How can schools overcome these barriers to provide more supportive environments for change? The authors answer this question through the study of six cases of schools and districts where teachers and researchers collaborated to develop teaching for understanding in math and science. This new book features: ?A new conceptual model of how school resources relate to teaching and learning, focusing not only on material resources such as time and money but also on human and social resources ?Methods that administrators can use to support teachers who want to improve their teaching of math and science ? Elements that professional developers should look for in a school environment when they are considering working with staff on teaching improvements ? Answers to important questions, including how schools operate as organizations, how they control work, how they respond to changes in their environment, and how they improve classroom teaching and learning.

Author Biography

Adam Gamoran is Professor of Sociology and Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison Charles W. Anderson is a Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University Pamela Anne Quiroz is Associate Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago Walter G. Secada is Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin at Madison Tona Williams is a doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Scott Ashmann is Assistant Professor of Science Education at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
PART I CHALLENGES OF SUPPORTING TEACHING FOR UNDERSTANDING	1	(62)
How Can Schools Support Teaching for Understanding in Mathematics and Science?	3	(19)
Charles W. Anderson
A Dynamic Model of Organizational Support	22	(16)
Adam Gamoran
Charles W. Anderson
Six Cases of Change by Design	38	(25)
Tona Williams
PART II RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES	63	(86)
Access to Resources	65	(22)
Adam Gamoran
Responding to Diversity	87	(18)
Pamela Anne Quiroz
Walter G. Secada
Leadership for Change	105	(22)
Adam Gamoran
Charles W. Anderson
Scott Ashmann
Seeking Community	127	(22)
Charles W. Anderson
Scott Ashmann
Walter G. Secada
Tona Williams
PART III SUPPORTING TEACHING FOR UNDERSTANDING OVER THE LONG TERM	149	(40)
District Policy and Teaching for Understanding	151	(22)
Pamela Anne Quiroz
Walter G. Secada
Sustaining Teaching for Understanding in Mathematics and Science	173	(16)
Adam Gamoran
Charles W. Anderson
Tona Williams
Appendix: Methodology	189	(10)
References	199	(6)
About the Authors	205	(2)
Index	207