The LASER Model: A Systemic and Sustainable Approach for Achieving High Standards in Science Education. Summative Report Section 2: Overview

N

78

Science Education; Educational Change; Elementary Schools; Middle Schools; Inquiry; Active Learning; Science Curriculum; Faculty Development; Instructional Leadership; Teacher Administrator Relationship; Elementary School Teachers; Middle School Teachers; Principals; Instructional Materials; Hands on Science; Science Materials; Student Evaluation; Elementary School Students; Middle School Students

North Carolina; New Mexico; Texas (Houston)

The Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) Model is a systemic approach to science learning and teaching based on five infrastructure pillars: research-based curriculum, differentiated professional development, administrative and community support, materials support, and assessment. This model uses the Science and Technology Concepts (STC) program, an inquiry-based curriculum with connections to mathematics and language arts. In August 2010, the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) received a grant of more than $25 million from the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation (i3) program for a five-year study to validate LASER model in three very diverse regions of the United States: rural North Carolina, northern New Mexico, and the Houston Independent School District (HISD). This report will provide a short description of each pillar, summarized from SSEC (Smithsonian Science Education Center) documentation, information gleaned from CREP's instruments and surveys, and general interpretations of that information.

ERIC

Does Not Meet Evidence Standards

2022

ED617215