Physics Teaching Pathways
Department of Physics
at
Buffalo State College
Current Need for
Physics Teachers
New York State has a shortage of physics teachers
with the requisite content background and pedagogical
knowledge and skills (Office of Teaching, 2000)
Need is especially acute in inner city and small rural
schools (National Research Council, 2001)
In 1999, 17% of the physics teachers in New York
State were over the age of 55
Number of New Physics Certificates
Issued in New York State
250
200
150
100
50
Year
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
0
Future Need for
Physics Teachers
Percent of physics classes in NYS being taught
by teacher who is not certified to teach physics:
17%.
Percent of physics classes in NYS being taught
by teacher who is over age 55 (close to retirement): 28%.
Percent of physics classes in NYS being
taught by teacher who is over age 50:
43%.
Future Need for
Physics Teachers
Effective September 1, 2003, the Commissioner of the New
York State Education Department will no longer issue
temporary licenses.
As of September 2001, there is a new Core Curriculum and
corresponding statewide exam for high school physics in the
state of New York.
Beginning in 2004, certified physics teachers will be required
to have a minimum of 30 semester hours of physics. This will
make it difficult for science teachers to get physics as a
second certification.
New High School Graduation requirements will push more
students into physics in high school. Many schools that have
a chemistry or earth science teacher teach one section of
physics will now need a full-time physics teacher.
Physics Education at Buffalo
State College
Bachelor's of Science Education: Physics
Master of Science Education: Physics
Master of Science Education: Alternative-B Certification in
Physics
Physics Teaching Pathways Summer Academy
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Institute for New Physics Teachers (PHY 510, 6 cr, offered every
summer)
Powerful Ideas in Electricity and Magnetism (PHY 622, 6 cr,
offered summer 2003)
Powerful Ideas in Force, Motion, and Energy (PHY 620, 6 cr,
offered summer 2004)
Constructing Physics Understanding (EDU 671 and PHY 594,
total 6 cr, offered summer 2003)
Why courses that combine
content and pedagogy?
Research indicates that, of all pedagogical training,
training in subject-specific pedagogy is the most
helpful(Brown, Smith, & Stein, 1995; Cohen & Hill,
1997).
Recent research has found serious deficiencies in
conventional physics teaching methods as well as
considerable improvements from research-based
instructional designs (Hake, 1998; Hammer, 1996).
In the area of physics, it has been found that over
half of physics teachers are without an academic
major or minor in a physical science (Ingersoll,
1999).
Master of Science Education: Physics
This coursework will lead to certification in Physics for teachers
currently certified in another science.
Available to candidates throughout New York State
Summer workshop courses: 18 credits
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PHY 510: Process Skills in Physics Teaching (Institute for
New Physics Teachers)
PHY 620: Powerful Ideas in Force, Motion, and Energy
PHY 622: Powerful Ideas in Electricity and Magnetism
Each course is a two week intensive (100 hours) workshop
that combines content and pedagogical methods.
Research courses: 6 credits
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PHY 500: Physics Education Research Seminar
PHY 690: Master’s Project
These courses will be offered through distance learning
Elective courses: 9 credits
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For student not close to Buffalo State College, these courses
may be taken at another institution with prior approval
Alternative Certification Program
Summer 1
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Exceptional Education course
40 hours of initial field experience in physics classes
Constructing Powerful Ideas course (PHY 620 or PHY 622)
Process Skills in Physics Teaching (PHY 510)
Adolescent Psychology
School Year 1
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Induction seminar
Seminar in Physics Education Research (PHY 500)
Additional coursework (LOTE, other science courses, physics)
Summer 2
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Literacy courses
Constructing Powerful Ideas course (PHY 620 or PHY 622)
School year 2
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Induction seminar
Additional coursework (LOTE, other science courses, physics)
Master’s Project (PHY 690)
Physics Teaching
Pathways
For more information contact:
Dewayne Beery
Beeryda@buffalostate.edu
(716)-878-4076
Or visit the Buffalo State College
Physics Education web site at:
http://PhysicsEd.BuffaloState.Edu/pathways