Using a Microcredential Model to Prepare Secondary Mathematics and Science Teachers to Meet the Needs of Rural, High-need Districts

East Carolina University, Greenville NC

Investigators

Abstract

This Noyce Track 1 project aims to serve the national need of preparing highly qualified high school STEM teachers equipped for the challenges of teaching in rural, high-needs school districts. Additionally, this project will support 30 future science and mathematics high school teachers by providing scholarships, mentorship, and specialized training to project participants using a microcredential model. The proposed project components will enable high-achieving prospective teachers to become secondary STEM teachers with extensive expertise in student-centered, place-based pedagogy to meet the needs of rural communities. This project at East Carolina University includes partnerships with Greene County Schools, Pitt County Schools, Pitt Community College, and the East Carolina University Rural Education Institute. Project goals include: 1) Provide scholarships & specialized education support for 30 future science and mathematics high school teachers using a microcredential model to equip scholars to serve the unique needs of rural, high-needs schools in eastern North Carolina; 2) Build a Noyce Professional Community by leveraging expertise of scholars from previous ECU Noyce Grants; 3) Optimize recruitment of Noyce Scholars by building strategic relationships with rural community colleges; 4) Evaluate the teaching of Noyce Scholars and conduct research to inform the preparation of high school mathematics and science teachers to teach effectively in rural, high-needs schools. This project will be iteratively evaluated. Evaluation of the project will be guided by the following evaluation question(s): (a) how effectively each of the project goals are being met each year, and (b) how are project faculty incorporating research and evaluation results from the previous year to inform future grant activities. The results of this project will be disseminated to help enhance the field. This Track 1: Scholarships and Stipends project is supported through the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce). The Noyce program supports talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers and experienced, exemplary K-12 teachers to become STEM master teachers in high-need school districts. It also supports research on the effectiveness and retention of K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.