Promoting Institutional Change to Strengthen Science Teacher Preparation

Twenty-six institutions are partnering with APLU as part of The Leadership Collaborative (TLC). This effort is based on the theory of action that institutional change depends both on top leadership commitment, and faculty ownership of the actions. APLU brings the first, since it is a membership institution of presidents and provosts. The American Physical Society, as a grant partner, brings the second as a disciplinary society with physics faculty as members. We are also working with the American Chemical Society as they create the Chemistry Teacher Education Coalition (CTEC) – a chemistry equivalent of the initiative in the physics community to address physics teacher education.

The momentum being generated by the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative (SMTI) and The Leadership Collaborative is building traction at institutions, and gaining recognition nationally. We are already hearing from participating institutions that leadership support is visibly stronger.