Ball State University Project Report 2007
Goals & Outcomes
PhysTEC Project Goals
- Rebuild physics teacher production through the recruitment of preservice physics teachers
- Reform the introductory algebra-based physics courses taken by preservice middle school science teachers
- Develop an effective induction/mentoring program for newly certified physics teachers
- Explore alternate ways to deliver the instruction program for the department’s course (300 plus per year) for Elementary Education majors
This project activity took place during the time period that the state of Indiana introduced new licensure requirements (fall 2002) and a state mandated mentoring program (fall 2006) for all of Indiana’s newly certified teachers.
About Ball State
- Ball State University is one of the largest producers of teachers and school professionals in the Midwest. Of the more than 18,000 students who attend Ball State University, approximately 4,900 students are enrolled in professional education programs.
- Building on an outstanding tradition of excellence in teacher preparation, Indiana Department of Education data indicate that the Department of Physics and Astronomy has led the state of Indiana in the production of certified physics teachers by producing 35 certified physics teachers in the ten-year period between 1996 and 2005.
Selected Project Successes
- By the close of the PhysTEC project in 2006-2007, the department graduated seven preservice physics teachers and had restored the pipeline of preservice physics teachers to levels that exceed previous pre-fall 2002 levels. (Please see data in the Demographics section.)
- The induction/mentoring of preservice and inservice teachers by Ball State’s TIRs throughout the project have assisted in providing a 100% retention rate of the 41 certified physics teachers produced by the department during the past eight years.
- University administrators have come to recognize the high levels of achievement of the TIRs and have gained a greater awareness of the TIR model and the positive impacts the TIR can have on both preservice and new inservice science teachers.
- TIR Mike Wolter and a member of the PhysTEC Project Management Team, John Layman, prepared induction/mentoring materials, policies, and procedures that were shared with other PhysTEC member institutions and have become part of the professional preparation of the project's TIRs.
- After TIR Neil Anthony returned to his classroom and administrative position at Ivy Tech, a local community college, he developed a two-year physics major program that becomes transferable to a four-year physics major program. The second program under development is a two-year Elementary Education program that will transfer to a four-year program.
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