PhysTEC

University of Minnesota Project Report 2009

Demographics

PhysTEC Definitions

PhysTEC Teachers
Grand Band Baseline project
Yr 1
2004 - 2005		 Yr 2
2005 - 2006		 Yr 3
2006 - 2007		 Yr 1
2007- 2008		 Yr 2
2008 - 2009		 Yr 3
2009 - 2010		 Yr 4
2010 - 2011		 Yr 5
2011 - 2012
PhysTEC Secondary Graduates 0 5 4 0 2      
Future physics teachers 2 5      

Commentary on PhysTEC Teachers data:

  • The baseline figures for secondary teachers are the numbers of students who graduated from the Secondary Physics Initial Licensure program in the College of Education. The project year figure is based on the students mentored by the TIRs in year 1, who are completing a licensure or alternative licensure program this year.

In the pipeline definition: The University of Minnesota PhysTEC site considers any student who meets any of the following criteria to be “in the pipeline” of physics teacher preparation.

  • A declared “Physics Major with a Teaching Emphasis”.
  • A declared “Physics Major” with a demonstrated interest in teaching physics.
  • A participant in the “DirecTrack to Teaching” program with a physics major.
  • A participant in the “DirecTrack to Teaching” program with a physics related major and a confirmed plan to take required classes for physics teaching licensure.
  • A student enrolled in the post-baccalaureate licensure program for physics teaching.
  • A Noyce Scholarship recipient with stated intention to teach physics.
PhysTEC Mentors and Mentees
  Baseline project
Yr 1
2004 - 2005		 Yr 2
2005 - 2006		 Yr 3
2006 - 2007		 Yr 1
2007- 2008		 Yr 2
2008 - 2009		 Yr 3
2009 - 2010		 Yr 4
2010 - 2011		 Yr 5
2011 - 2012
PhysTEC Mentors (Current and Prior TIRs)       2 2      
PhysTEC Mentees       3 9      
Mentored PhysTEC Teachers       0 2      
Mentored Non-PhysTEC Teachers       0 0      

Commentary on mentors and mentees data:

PhysTEC Enrollments
Course Type Baseline project
Yr 1
2004 - 2005		 Yr 2
2005 - 2006		 Yr 3
2006 - 2007		 Yr 1
2007- 2008		 Yr 2
2008 - 2009		 Yr 3
2009 - 2010		 Yr 4
2010 - 2011		 Yr 5
2011 - 2012
Phys for Elem Ed 78 74 80 76 96      
Learning Assistant Seminar       13 23      
Physics1101
(Algebra-based)		 493 504 492 493
(182)		 455
(366)		      
Physics1301
(Calculus-based)		 1106 1054 1146 1190
(0)		 1238
(253)		      

Commentary on enrollment data: The Physics for Elementary Education course enrolls primarily pre-service elementary education students. Enrollment for Secondary Physics teaching couse based on desired 10 LAs and 3 other interested students.

Notes: In year 2, the Learning Assistant Seminar ‘science teaching course’ was not a ‘for credit’ course but was required for all LAs.

The Spring 2008 section of 1101 used LAs; one of the two Fall 2008 sections used LAs; the Spring 2009 section used LAs.

The Spring 2009 section of 1301 piloted LAs on a limited basis.

The numbers of students in sections with LAs are given in parentheses.