From the Dec. 11, 1996 Daily Report Card:
-> *1   TEACHING SCIENCE:  CERTIFICATION ON THE WAY
->    The National Science Foundation awarded the National Board
-> for Professional Teaching Standards a $2M grant to develop a
-> National Board Certification assessment for science teachers
-> (NBPTS press release, 12/5).  The assessment will be for teachers of
-> studnts age 14-18 and older.
->    "We have already developed the high and rigorous standards
-> in this field and we encourage all science teachers to read them and
-> incorporate them into their teaching," said James Kelly,
-> president of the NBPTS.  "These high standards will drive the
-> development of this assessment package to create a very powerful
-> professional experience for all science teachers," he added.
->    According to the release, development of the science
-> assessment will occur over a three year period.  A series of
-> pilot tests will be conducted nationwide.  The project will focus on
-> the development of scoring procedures and strategies to manage the
-> assessment and train the assessors.  NBPTS personnel will
-> work with WestEd (formerly Far West Laboratories) on the
-> development of the assessment, and the Educational Testing
-> Service will prepare the assessment for delivery during the 1997-
-> 1998 school year.
->    Teachers who seek National Board Certification take part in
-> a two-part, year-long assessment of their knowledge, abilities
-> and skills as measured against the only nationwide standards for
-> accomplished science teaching.  Part one of the assessment
-> requires candidates to compile a portfolio of their teaching
-> during the course of a school year, which can include student
-> work, essays on what works and what does not in the classroom,
-> work with colleagues on lesson planning and classroom management and
-> videotapes of classroom instruction.
->    The second part takes place at an assessment center, where
-> candidates complete exercises related to science instruction,
-> writes the release.
->    The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is
-> located in Southfiled, Michigan, and can be reached at 810/351- 4444.
--- PCBoard (R) v15.3/M 10
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