Elementary Science Specialists and Classroom Generalists: Are There Differences in Science Instruction, Student Achievement, and Cost?

PI/PD:Abigail Jurist Levy, Ph.D., Marian Pasquale
Funder:National Science Foundation
Duration:2009 - 2012
During this three-year project, funded by the National Science Foundation, CSE is examining and comparing the quality and quantity of science instruction provided by classroom generalists to that of science specialists to determine the degree to which there are meaningful differences, and if there are differences, whether they are associated with student outcomes. The study is documenting the financial and human resources each model of science teaching requires. The findings generated by this study will inform the research community where investigations of these questions have not yet been undertaken, and policy makers at the state, district, and school levels as they make decisions about how to allocate limited resources in order to provide the best science instruction possible.