A Leader’s Guide to Science Curriculum Topic Study

The Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) process, funded by the National Science Foundation, helps teachers improve their practice by linking standards and research to core content, curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This valuable guide shows leaders how to facilitate this research-based, standards-linked approach to increase their science teachers’ knowledge of effective teaching and learning and improve the quality of content-focused professional development. Keyed to the core book Science Curriculum Topic Study, this resource helps science professional development leaders and teacher educators understand the CTS approach and how to design, lead, and apply CTS in a variety of settings that support teachers as learners. The authors provide everything needed to facilitate the CTS process, including: a solid foundation in the CTS framework; multiple designs for half-day and full-day workshops, professional learning communities, and one-on-one instructional coaching; facilitation, group processing, and materials management strategies; ideas for embedding CTS in professional development programs; a CD-ROM with handouts, PowerPoint slides, and templates for developing your own CTS sessions; and, references to additional resources and materials. By bringing CTS into schools and other professional development settings, science leaders can enhance their teachers’ knowledge of content, improve teaching practices, and have a positive impact on student learning.