Poster Session
Location
Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
42
Start Date
4-10-2019 12:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2019 1:15 PM
College
College of Education, Leadership Studies, and Counseling
Department
Education
Abstract
Virginia’s Science Standards of Learning (SOLs) were revised in October, 2018. Narratives describing new approaches of the 2018 Science SOLs suggest that teachers will have greater expectation for science competency, even at the elementary level. In this study we focused on schools and districts that are in our general region, and that serve as primary employers of graduates of our region’s teacher training programs. My question was: Are metrics that might serve as indicators of teacher science competency correlated to better Science SOL test scores of their students? Data required to answer this question were gathered from Virginia Department of Education website (school- or district-level SOL scores, district-level teacher qualifications), and other sources regarding teacher training and competency. We confirm that greater teacher training and competency in science is a strong determinant of student success in science. These results should bolster graduate programs in science education, and stronger science competency requirements in pre-service teacher training programs.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Greg Eaton
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Teacher Training & Science SOL Success in Area Schools
Memorial Ballroom, Hall Campus Center
Virginia’s Science Standards of Learning (SOLs) were revised in October, 2018. Narratives describing new approaches of the 2018 Science SOLs suggest that teachers will have greater expectation for science competency, even at the elementary level. In this study we focused on schools and districts that are in our general region, and that serve as primary employers of graduates of our region’s teacher training programs. My question was: Are metrics that might serve as indicators of teacher science competency correlated to better Science SOL test scores of their students? Data required to answer this question were gathered from Virginia Department of Education website (school- or district-level SOL scores, district-level teacher qualifications), and other sources regarding teacher training and competency. We confirm that greater teacher training and competency in science is a strong determinant of student success in science. These results should bolster graduate programs in science education, and stronger science competency requirements in pre-service teacher training programs.