Science Leadership Initiative
Transforming the learning environment for science
Griffin MSI's Science Leadership School Partners Program provides a mechanism for whole-school change in science teaching and learning. This innovative program is grounded in current research in science education and designed to support K-8 schools as they do the work of science education reform.
School Partners Program
A School Partner, which includes a Teacher Leader, administrator and cross-disciplinary team representing multiple grade levels, is able to utilize Griffin MSI supports to elevate science programming at the whole-school level. Realizing a vision for science education requires a partnership and Griffin MSI supports science education reform in the following ways:
- Support schools on a path toward improvement
- Promote a culture of shared leadership between teachers, administrators and Griffin MSI
- Recognize those that succeed as models for other schools.
Program Components
Program benefits include: Teacher Leaders enhance their career opportunities and receive a stipend for the anticipated 40 hours of work they spend at their school and at work sessions at Griffin MSI. A cohort of Teacher Leaders spend time together in work sessions at Griffin MSI planning, troubleshooting and supporting one another. School Partners can reapply and receive supports for up to three consecutive years, including access to the digital database that houses the School Support Tool and manages each school’s information. School Partners will receive implementation support each year to help carry out action plan items that will enhance science education at the whole-school level.
Supports from Griffin MSI Team Members
- Work sessions at Griffin MSI
- School Partner Recognition Event
School Partner Cohorts
- Teacher Leader Cohort
- Cross-disciplinary School Team
Research-based Support Tools
- School Support Tool Workbook
- School Support Tool Handbook
- School Support Tool Digital Suite
School Support Tool
Griffin MSI-trained Teacher Leaders utilize the School Support Tool at their schools. Grounded in current education research, the tool identifies eight Essential Elements for schools to consider. The tool's design uses a rating system and action plan cycle for yearlong planning and implementation. The tool is housed in an online digital portal that collects, archives and manages information.
Evidence Gathering and Rating
Led by the Teacher Leader, the team uses the collaborative processes and procedures developed by Griffin MSI to rate nineteen items related to the eight elements. Team members provide individual and cross-departmental evidence or examples. Once all evidence has been considered, the team collaboratively uses the rating system to come to a mutual decision on what to rate each item based on their conversations, shared understanding and agreement. An assembled cross-disciplinary team will gather evidence around the Eight Essential Elements that support science education:
- Values
- Collaboration and Planning
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Professional Learning
- Communication
- Technology
- Partners
- Money
Action Planning
After the rating is complete, the school has a gauge of how it supports science education. The team follows an action plan cycle to prioritize ideas that support school-wide improvements based on their ratings. The team creates an achievable and customized year-long action plan.
Implementing
Members of the Griffin MSI team support Teacher Leaders as they manage the implementation of their school’s action. At the end of the year, they revisit the plan, assess changes in the ratings and consider new goals for the following year.
Evaluation and Research
Evaluation and research is an important component of the Science Leadership Initiative. We utilized literature review and partner surveys to build a program to meet teaching and school goals. Our Research and Evaluation team continues to asses the impact of this program on partner schools. Early findings have been published in the form of peer-reviewed conference presentations and white papers.
- Supporting Elementary and Middle School STEM Education at the Whole School Level: A Review of the LiteratureWhite Paper
- Science Leadership Initiative Perceptions Survey White Paper
- Are We So Different? A Study of Teacher and Administrator Perceptions of Science EducationWhite Paper
We are planning submissions to formal peer-review journals. Please email [email protected] if you are open to publishing and presentation collaborations.
Requirements
Teacher Leader facilitation, administrator contribution and cross-disciplinary school team cohesion is needed to actively engage and commit to the process and the time it requires.
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