VSI Tier 1

Overview
The VSI establishes a specific pathway to school leadership in science with its Master of Arts in Science Education (Tier 1) program. Teachers can choose to matriculate through Castleton, Johnson, or Lyndon State College for their degree. The initiative is strong in science content with 24 of the 36 required credits in science subject matter. Now in its fifth year, the VSI Tier 1 program has trained over 40 teachers and plans to add a fourth cohort of teachers in the summer of 2009. The Tier 1 teachers represent 36 schools and 30 supervisory unions/districts in Vermont, representing a broad spectrum of geographical areas in Vermont. (See the link below for a geographical distribution of VSI teachers in Vermont.)

The Tier 1 program integrates formal coursework with its application in the classroom. In each of the three science units, teachers spend two weeks in a summer campus residency immersed in content-rich and inquiry-based science. Coursework in content and effective science instruction continues during the academic year. To support the VSI teacher in his/her classroom, each participant also meets on a regular basis throughout the school year with a "mentor teacher leader." Administrator/teacher teams from every school work with the VSI leadership coordinator to develop and implement a leadership plan appropriate to the existing expertise, readiness, and culture of the specific school.

Geographical Distribution of VSI Tier 1 Teachers by Supervisory Union

Key Features of VSI Tier 1
During the first two years of the Tier 1 program, teachers focus on deepening their science content knowledge and developing a comprehensive understanding of standards-based science and its assessment. This is accomplished through formal coursework and individualized mentoring in the VSI teacher's classroom.

In each year of the program the VSI teacher will complete 12 graduate credits.The curriculum is organized into summer and academic year coursework. During each of the three summers, VSI teachers will spend two weeks in a residential summer institute where the focus is science content. During the academic year, the Tier 1 teachers meet for all day Friday/Saturday sessions once each month. The Fall begins with two weekend sessions to complete the science content and then continues with a three credit course in an area of science education. A second, three credit course in science education follows in the Spring.

The program culminates with two independent projects, one in action research and a second in carrying out science research with a mentoring scientist. Year three also begins the leadership component of the VSI.

The Tier 1 Program Overview - The Path to Teacher Leadership in Science
The four elements that form the foundation of the VSI Tier 1 program are graphically presented in the link below and include:

  • a focus on deepening teacher's science content knowledge and genuine understanding of scientific inquiry.
  • a development of best practices in the teaching of science.
  • a development of leadership skills coupled with support for school administrators to sustain their science teacher leaders.
  • a strong mentorship component that provides support for the VSI teachers as they implement the learned instructional practices.


These four elements are integrated into a comprehensive three year professional degree program with sustained mentoring and leadership support in a fourth year.

In the summer of year one, the science content focus is to strengthen basic scientific knowledge in physics and astronomy. This six credit study in physical science is completed with two weekend sessions in the early Fall of year one. Fall and Spring semesters, effective teaching practices and educational research are addressed. Participants develop and use strategies that incorporate effective inquiry into classroom instruction. They identify and incorporate aligned science content from national and state resources into their classroom instruction, and evaluate and use science educational research techniques. Participants also develop an individualized mentoring plan with their "mentor teacher leader."

Year two study begins with a two week summer science content course in geology and inorganic chemistry. Two weekends of study in the early Fall complete this six credit course. The philosophy and development of science and the impact of scientific advances/revolutions on human thinking and culture is then investigated. Instructional practices are also strengthened in year two through continued meeting with the mentor teacher leader and implementation of the individualized mentoring plans. VSI teachers also take a closer look at their daily teaching practice or leadership effort in a small scale action research inquiry. The results of this study are presented to colleagues and administrators in a day long symposium in the Spring.

Year three begins with a two week summer study of biology/organic chemistry. Like the two previous science content courses, two additional weekends of study complete this six credit class. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the scientific process, each VSI Tier 1 teacher also conducts a small scale science research project under the direction of a research scientist. Results are shared with colleagues, scientists, and school administrators in a day long science symposium. Regular visits by the "mentor teacher leader" continues through year three offering VSI teachers the opportunity to further document and reflect on classroom practice.

The two and one years of extensive coursework and mentoring provide the VSI teachers with the skill set necessary to become leaders of science in their school and districts. Year three begins the leadership component of the VSI with formal coursework with the VSI leadership coordinator. In addition, the leadership coordinator works with the VSI teacher and his/her building administrator to develop and implement a leadership plan appropriate to the existing expertise, readiness, and culture of the school. Sustained support for the VSI graduate in both leadership mentoring and classroom mentoring continues in the year following completion of the master's degree.

Program Goals of VSI Tier 1

  • Deepening teachers' science content knowledge through course in physics and astronomy, geology and chemistry, and biology.
  • Developing a genuine understanding of scientific inquiry through an independent scientific investigation and the direction of a scientist.
  • Developing a collaborative learning network that focuses on pedagogy, assessment, and leadership skills through coursework and on-site mentoring.
  • Providing support for administrators and curriculum specialists as they develop a local capacity for science leadership.

Summer 2009
Cohort IV recruitment will begin in January 2009. Teachers accepted into this cohort will begin their three year graduate program in the summer of 2009 with a six credit course in physics and astronomy. This course covers selected topics in physics and astronomy suitable for elementary school teachers. Within this framework, the teacher will study the physics of motion, forces, momentum, energy, conservation laws, universal law of gravitation, stars and planets, the solar system meteorites, asteroids, and comets.

Cost of the VSI Tier 1 program
The school/district of each participating VSI Tier 1 teacher will contribute $3,000 per year towards the education of the teacher. Teachers are responsible for travel costs and text books for courses. All other expenses including room, board, and additional tuition are covered by the program.