ERIC Number: EJ803369
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Aug
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 43
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4308
Impact of a Multiyear Professional Development Intervention on Science Achievement of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Elementary Students
Lee, Okhee; Deaktor, Rachael; Enders, Craig; Lambert, Julie
Journal of Research in Science Teaching, v45 n6 p726-747 Aug 2008
This study examined the impact of the 3-year implementation of a professional development intervention on science achievement of culturally and linguistically diverse elementary students. Teachers were provided with instructional units and workshops that were designed to improve teaching practices and foster positive beliefs about science and literacy with diverse student groups. The study involved third, fourth, and fifth grade students at six elementary schools in a large urban school district during the 2001 through 2004 school years. Significance tests of mean scores between pre- and posttests indicated statistically significant increases each year on all measures of science at all three grade levels. Achievement gaps among demographic subgroups sometimes narrowed among fourth grade students and remained consistent among third and fifth grade students. Item-by-item comparisons with NAEP and TIMSS samples indicated overall positive performance by students at the end of each school year. The consistent patterns of positive outcomes indicate the effectiveness of our intervention in producing achievement gains at all three grade levels while also reducing achievement gaps among demographic subgroups at the fourth grade. (Contains 10 tables.)
Descriptors: Urban Schools, Intervention, Science Achievement, Achievement Gains, Program Effectiveness, Grade 5, Grade 4, Faculty Development, Teaching Methods, Student Diversity, Workshops, Teacher Improvement, Teacher Attitudes, Science Instruction, Elementary School Teachers, Elementary School Students, Grade 3, Pretests Posttests, Teacher Influence, High Risk Students, Minority Groups, English (Second Language), Elementary School Science, Literacy, Cultural Influences
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3; Grade 4; Grade 5
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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