New Haven Public Schools
TEACHING SCIENCE
Richard Therrien, K-12 Science
Supervisor
54 Meadow Street, 3rd
Floor
New Haven, CT 06519
203-946-2933, 203-946-8664 (f)
richard.therrien@new-haven.k12.ct.us
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE:
32 K-8 Schools.Typically, one science teacher, does both 7th (chem./life), and 8th (physical/earth) grade science. 90-100 students, science lab room (less than 10 yrs old, or new), part of a middle school subject team. Requires certifications: 034, 234, (General Science), OR a middle/high school science certification with highly qualified in general science, or working towards general science.
HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE:
4 medium to large high schools, with 500-1200 students each, and science departments of 5-20 science teachers. 5 other high schools with < 300 students and smaller science departments. Typically a science teacher would teach 2 subjects, but no more than 3. All students take a 9th grade course, Biology, Chemistry and possibly electives. Teachers who teach the same subject work as teams to develop lessons and assessments.
Chemistry/PhyChem teachers teach 11th grade chemistry and/or 9th grade integrated phy/chem., which also includes environmental aspects. Requires certifications: 031, 033, 034. In some cases a teacher with dual Biology (030) and Chemistry/Earth/Physics would teach some Biology and Phy/Chem or something else. Some opportunities to teach upper level courses, and many opportunities to teach middle level juniors/seniors in electives.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Science teachers in New Haven have
tremendous opportunities for professional development. All science teachers
across the district meet at least once a month, with district developed
professional development as well. NHPS partners with Yale University on over 30
programs for students and professional development for teachers (http://www.yale.edu/onhsa/science/index.html)
, as well as with other programs such as PIMMS, CSTA, University of New Haven,
Southern CT State Univ, UCONN, and Quinnipiac. New Haven Public Schools also
conducts a City Wide Science Fair at Yale Commons every year, with mentors and
judges from the entire community available to teachers and students. EVERY
Monday afternoon, teachers have PD meetings as well.
Science Certifications for
New Haven Public Schools
New
Haven Public Schools have many successful science teachers from all types of
programs. Certification is a teacher’s responsibility, and while we can provide
some guidance, it is ultimately up to the individual to pursue and arrange.
The
most successful science teachers are those who believe in science is best
taught when students participate in hands on, interesting, and engaging
activities with each other. The connection between teachers and students is
often more important than the science background of the teacher. Successful
teachers are collaborative, humble, and interested in the whole child. Teachers
integrate reading strategies, math skills, and social responsibility into their
science classes.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Three paths to certification,
and see: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2613&Q=321230
Alternate Route to
Certification: Ed courses taken
on the weekends or in the 45 day summer program fulfill MOST of the education
courses. Student teaching can be done in summer school. There are higher
standards for the first two years of teaching. Many ARC teachers have found
great success. http://www.ctdhe.org/ARC/default.htm
DSAP: Students enroll in a regular college education
program (typically as a Master’s Degree). Once they are accepted and have
started AND passed all the tests, they may apply for a position. If the
district offers a position AND the college agrees, both need to sign off on a
Durational Shortage Area Permit. The college oversees the teacher during the
first year(s) of teaching and it then waives the student teaching. NHPS has had
successful science DSAP teachers from Southern CT State University, University
of New Haven, and Others.
Regular Program: Area colleges such as SCSU, UNH, Sacred Heart,
University of Bridgeport, and others, all offer degrees leading to science
certification. Some have internship programs which allow for subsititute
teaching while earning a Master’s Degree in Science Education. These typically
take 1 -1.5 years, depending on background.
Teach For America: Teach for America candidates are certified under a
DSAP or an Alternate Route type certificate, typically get intensive summer
training and student teaching, and then are placed in an urban district.
New Haven Public
Schools Science (see www.newhavenscience.org/pacingchart.pdf)
6th grade:
Environmental/Earth/Physical Science 7th grade : Chemistry/Life
Science, 8th grade: Physical/Earth Science, 9th grade:
Integrated Phy/Chem, 10th grade: Biology, 11th grade:
Chemistry, 12th grade: Physics.
The greatest
need is for teachers who can teach middle school (general science certified) or
two or more subjects in high school (chemistry, physics, gen science OR bio
plus chemistry, or bio plus gen science). The largest number of applicants tend
to be those certified in just biology, which is only a third of secondary
science curriculum.
There
are SOME upper level electives, such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Anatomy,
Environmental Science, etc.. but the largest number of students are in 9th/10th
grade in high school, so that is where the greatest need is. (This is true for
most CT districts).
A
certified science teacher needs to have about 30 credits in science (34 credits
including biology, earth, physics, chemistry for general science) AND be highly
qualified AND have all the education courses required, including science
methods, ed psychology, etc.. (about 24 credits depending) AND have student
teaching.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science Certifications for
New Haven Public Schools
Grade 6-8 Science K-8 001 or 4-8 006, If self
contained or split class ( 2 math, 2 science)
If departmentalized ( 1
teacher with > 3 sections of science)
K-8
001 or 4-8 006 meets certification requirements
but only current teachers who have taught this science in New Haven for three
or more years meet HOUSSE highly qualified status. No new elem certified
teachers can be hired or transferred into this position (6-8 departmentalized
science) and meet highly qualified status (unless they have a Master’s degree
in the specific science subject area).
Grade 6 departmentalized
science (integrated): current elem certified teachers, or General Science 234, 235, 034 certified, passed Praxis II in General or Middle
School Science.
Grade 7 departmentalized
science (life/chem.): current elem certified teachers, or General Science 234, 235, 034, Biology 230, 030, passed Praxis II in General, Middle School or Biology.
Grade 8 departmentalized
science (physics/earth): current elem certified teachers, or General Science 234, 235, 034, Physics 232, 032, Earth
233, 033, passed Praxis II in General,
Middle School, Earth, or Physics.
(A Biology only certified
teacher could teach 8th grade science up to two periods of their
schedule for two years if they receive a temporary minor authorization
certificate and have 12 credits in
Physics/Earth Science)
This means for most
schools, a grade 7/8 teacher needs 234,235, or 034 cert.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grade 9 Integrated
Phy/Chem. General science (034), Physics (032), Earth (033) or
Chemistry (031) certified, passed Praxis
II in General, Earth or Chemistry. (A Biology only certified teacher could
teach 9th grade science up to two periods of their schedule for two
years if they receive a temporary minor authorization certificate and have
12 credits in
Chemistry/Earth/Physics, but they would still have to take the Praxis or have a
Master’s in this subject area to meet Highly Qualified status)
Biology: Biology (030), Chemistry:
Chemistry (031), Anatomy/Physiology: Biology (030), Physics:Physics
(032).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Teachers on a DSAP must
be > 9 credits into their planned education program, have >12 credits in the subject,
have passed the Praxis II, received approval from their CT higher ed program,
and ONLY teach the subjects for which they have a DSAP. (Chem DSAP must only
teach Chem, etc..) DSAP teachers cannot receive the temporary minor
authorization.
So in essence:
New Haven Science teachers
must be certified and highly qualified in every science area they teach.
Temporary minor
authorizations (for two periods a day) are available for two years for other
subject areas.
DSAP teachers must only teach
in the area of their DSAP certificate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
