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 The
Mathematics/Science Pathways to Teaching is the latest program in a
collaborative partnership between Wayne State University (WSU) and Detroit
Public Schools (DPS) to increase the pool of certified teachers for
the destrict. A total of forty candidates, most with undergraduate degrees
in mathematics or science, were accepted into the program. Since 1993,
WSU has provided opportunities for non-certified employees of DPS to
earn certification in specific areas with funding from the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's
Digest Fund through alternative pathways to teaching (APT). The other
pathway programs were developed to remedy teacher shortages in special
education, bilingual education, and the number of minority male teachers.
The National Science Foundation grant, Mathematics/Science Pathways,
established in the fall 1999, incorporates the five institutionalized
components of the other APT programs. Those components that have enhanced
the success rate for APT students in all areas are (1) development of
cohort groups, (2) use of core classes that students take together,
(3) mentoring by master teachers, (4) academic assistance, and (5) leadership
development.
Participants will receive financial
support to complete professional certification classes as well as classes
to complete their majors and minors. Their pre-student teaching and
student teaching will be "on-the-job" experiences supervised
by the APT coordinator. Over the three years estimated for all of the
students to complete certification, some may earn credits toward a graduate
degree. The teachers are committed to teach in DPS for three years after
completion of the program.
The participants met as a group for
the first time in March, 2000. At that meeting tentative plans of work
for completion of the certification program were developed with help
form the APT advisor, Mr. Hal Dittenber. The teachers were encouraged
to begin their coursework in the spring/summer session. Many, who had
not committed to teaching summer school, were able to start taking classes
at that time. Most of the participants also took part in the Summer
Institute at Northwestern High School sponsored by DPS. Specially designed
technology courses were developed for the elementary and secondary teachers
for Fall, 2000. In those courses, each of the teachers was given an
e-mail address and instruction on how to use technology to enhance lessons
in mathematics or science. To further their professional development,
they attended the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics Fall
Conference or the Metropolitan Detroit Science Teachers' Association
Fall Conference. Meetings of all of the APT groups were held in September,
December, and February. The next meeting is May 4, 2001, where those
completing the certification process will be honored. Tentatively, three
teachers are scheduled to complete the program this semester. Nine of
the teachers attended the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Alternative
Pathways to Teaching Conference in Philadelphia March 8-11.
There are currently thirty-nine mathematics/science
APT participants. Of the original forty accepted into the program, twenty-four
sought elementary certification and sixteen sought secondary certification.
Six dropped out of the program: three are to complete certification
at other institutions, one chose another career; one will pursue a doctorate,
and one moved out of state. Five participants have been added. Applications
are being accepted to bring the numbers up and to replace those who
will complete the program in the spring. This Winter, 2001 semester,
the teachers are taking coursework in the Analysis of Elementary Teaching
or the Analysis of Secondary Teaching in conjunction with on-the-job
pre-student teaching. Two of the teachers have completed student teaching
and another is student teaching this semester. Assistance in passing
the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification has been offered to the
teachers. Four of the participants are not yet working in DPS but expect
to be hired by the fall, 2001 semester.
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