FYI, Barbara Sandall NSTA Regional Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Erin Garcia (703) 312-9371 [EMAIL PROTECTED] New NSTA Publications Demonstrate Crucial Link Between Professional Development and Student Performance in Science Arlington, VA, January 22, 2000— NSTA Press, a publishing arm of The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), in collaboration with the National Science Education Leadership Association, has released two new publications that examine current reform efforts in science education and the important role that teacher professional development plays in improving student performance. The second and third volumes, Professional Development Planning and Design, and Professional Development Leadership and the Diverse Learner, of the Issues in Science Education series, are a collection of in-depth articles on professional development written by prominent science educators and leaders. Contributing authors include Roger Bybee, William H. Schmidt, Angelo Collins, Jane Butler Kahle, and the late Susan Loucks-Horsley. The two books serve as comprehensive guides for science teachers, science department chairs, principals, superintendents, policymakers, and many other individuals who have an ongoing investment in science education. “As a teacher, I recognize the value of the information found in these books. They provide a framework for educators to enhance their profession and bolster reform efforts taking place in schools across the country,” said Arthur Eisenkraft, NSTA President. Both publications examine the connection between teacher professional development and the implementation of effective science education curricula. The materials strongly emphasize the importance of teacher preparation and the need for teachers to attain the meaningful skills derived from professional development courses, workshops, and the collegial exchange of new ideas and teaching methods. The science education community recognizes the impact that highly skilled teachers have on the performance of students. In fact, a recent report by the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century calls for increased professional development opportunities for teachers as a platform for advancing the state of science education in our nation. In light of these recent calls for action, articles and research found in Professional Development Planning and Design focus on a range of professional development issues, including all aspects of planning and designing valuable teacher training programs, the use of achievement data to assess and evaluate science education reform, and ways of creating a sustainable development program for teachers. Drawing from the basic subject matter of teacher training programs, Professional Development Leadership and the Diverse Learner consists of articles that explore how professional development experiences help educators teach science to students with diverse backgrounds and learning styles. The articles show that professional development experiences not only create better classroom teachers, but also empower these teachers to become leaders in science education. Both Professional Development Planning and Design, and Professional Development Leadership and the Diverse Learner are available from the NSTA Science Store for $25.95. To order, visit the Science Store at http://www.nsta.org/store/ or call 1-800-722-NSTA (1-800-722-6782) between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. Outside of the United States and Canada call (703) 243-7100 and refer to Stock # PB127X2 and # PB127X3. Educators can also preview these publications, and over a dozen more, online before purchasing them by using “Read It!,” a new service of the NSTA Press. To preview, access the NSTA Science Store website at www.nsta.org/store/. Enter the store as a guest or member. Click on the "Read It!" icon in the top right hand corner of the page. From here, anyone can access a list of books to browse through. Finally, click on any of the smaller "Read it!" icons to read a particular book. Founded in 1944, the Arlington-based National Science Teachers Association seeks to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. Its 53,000-plus members include science teachers of all grade levels, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education. -- This is the ISTA-talk mailing list. To unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For more information: <http://www.ista-il.org/about/mail_list.html> To search the archives: <http://www.mail-archive.com/ista-talk@lists.csi.cps.k12.il.us/>
