The Progressive Science Initiative (PSI) &
Progressive Mathematics Initiative (PMI):
AN EFFECTIVE NEW APPROACH
TO STUDENT LEARNING AND
TEACHER TRAINING
www.njctl.org
Empowering Teachers …Leading Change
New Jersey
Center for Teaching and Learning
Empowering Teachers …Leading Change
www.njctl.org
New Jersey Center for Teaching
and Learning
Robert Goodman, Ed.D.
NJ Center for Teaching and Learning
&
Bergen County Technical HS - Teterboro
bgoodman33@gmail.com
The US faces a serious challenge
in math and science education



US student achievement is considered
internationally uncompetitive
The US percentage of the world’s
scientists and engineers is shrinking
Two useful reports: Rising above the
Gathering Storm and The Perfect Storm
Progressive Science Initiative (PSI) &
Progressive Mathematics Initiative (PMI)
•
PSI initially developed for teaching HS
science to students
•
PSI extended to creating new HS
science teachers
•
PMI developed using PSI Methods: For
teaching K-12 mathematics to students
The Progressive Science
Initiative (PSI)

Began 10 years ago by the teachers at
Bergen Tech in Teterboro, NJ

Well documented results

Doctoral dissertation, peer reviewed journal
article, ongoing evaluation
AP Performance and
International Competitiveness
1995 TIMSS Results - Physics
AP Exams as a Goal

Provides a standard metric

Recognized by K-12, colleges & universities,
students and parents

Correlated to international competitiveness

Gives students access to top colleges &
universities plus scholarships
AP Science Exams Taken
(2010 - School versus Normed State)
AP Science Exams Passed
(2010 - School versus Normed State)
Math SAT Scores
(School versus State)
PSI - PMI Methods

Curriculum

Pedagogy

Assessment Strategies

Technology

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)

Pacing
Curriculum
PSI Course Sequence: Grades 9 – 12
Physics
Chem
Biology
Algebra
AP
Physics
AP
Chem
AP Bio
Geom.
MA I
MA II
AP Calc
Curriculum
PSI Course Sequence: Minimal Version
Physics
Chem
Biology
Algebra
Geom.
Algebra
II & Trig
Curriculum
Traditional Course Sequence
Biology
Chem
Physics
Algebra
Geom.
Algebra.
II & Trig
Precalc
Pedagogy
Social Constructivism
PLUS
Direct Instruction
Pedagogy
Social Constructivism
Round Tables
 Group Problem Solving
 Heterogeneous setting

Pedagogy
Direct Instruction
SMART Notebook presentation
 SMART Response Formative Assessment
 Teacher as part of social group

Assessment Strategies

Grades based only on what students know
and can do – Tests, quizzes and labs

Retakes for all assessments

Grades are not subjective

Correlated to End of Course Tests
(APs, EOC Algebra I, Common Core, etc.)
Assessment Strategies
SMART Responders
Anonymous student polling
during class to guide
instruction
Direct Instruction
Direct Instruction: Adding Decimals
Direct Instruction
Example: Adding Decimals
SMART Response
SMART Response
Classroom Technology

Computer and Printer

SMART board with Projector

SMART Responders

Round Tables and chairs
www.njctl.org

All PSI course materials are posted on this site

Teachers can freely access all of them

Students can freely access all but assessments
www.njctl.org
www.njctl.org
www.njctl.org
www.njctl.org
www.njctl.org
•
All course materials are
posted
•
Open Source Approach
- Free access to all
•
50,000+ hits per month
•
5000+ unique visitors
per month, and growing
(worldwide)
Collaboration Through
Learning Communities

Shared materials on www.njctl.org

Interschool communication

Teaching and Learning shared virtually
Critical Shortage of Science Teachers

PSI has shown “all students can learn
science”.

We believe “all teachers can learn science”

PSI teaches science to skilled teachers.

The goal is to get the best teachers to
become the best science teachers:
“Teaching is hard; science is easy”
Kean – CTL
Endorsement Program

Teachers are taught the science content, and
how to teach it

Teachers are provisionally authorized to teach
a first level PSI course

Teachers take advanced courses while
teaching the first course
NJCTL Creates Science Teachers
Completing Soon

60 additional teachers – chemistry and physics

6 school districts

35 Schools: 21 current + 14 additional

Now teaching about 4000 students physics or
chemistry
Provides Access to
Rigorous Courses
New PSI Physics Teachers:
 Taught
physics to 1200 urban students last
year who wouldn’t have had access otherwise
 Are
 1/3
teaching more than 7000 students this year
of students taught last year requested to
take AP Physics B the next year, along with
Chemistry
Newark Physics Teachers
(PSI began in 09-10)
AP Physics Participation
Technology High School – Newark, NJ
# students
(School versus Normed State)
Technology High School – Newark, NJ
Math SAT Scores
In the News
Star Ledger - October 24, 2009
Bergen Record – March 6, 2010
New Jersey teachers shift to
physics to address shortage
Teacher finds a solution to our
science problem
By Jeanette M. Rundquist
BY Stephanie Akin
NEWARK -- Emmanuel Ikheloa stood
at the front of a Newark classroom,
carefully measuring a glass marble and
a metal spring. Then, with a "ready, set,
go!" he flicked the trigger on a table-top
marble launcher and sent the small ball
flying across the room.
The Record
STAFF WRITER
A new way of teaching physics —
developed by a Bergen County teacher —
could offer a solution to American students'
poor performance in math and science.
N.J. educator develops new formula for teaching physics
An award-winning teacher in New Jersey's Bergen County has developed a way to teach
physics that relies heavily on algebra, allowing physics to be taught before biology and
chemistry. Robert Goodman's physics curriculum is being piloted in 21 New Jersey
schools and is becoming a national model for science education. March 11, 2010
The Progressive Mathematics
Initiative (PMI)
Middle Schools Mathematics
Program

Began 4 years ago with three Middle Schools:
Deptford, Egg Harbor and Lawrence

Its goal was to increase the number of students
completing Algebra I by the end of 8th grade

Student performance on the Accuplacer was
used to measure Algebra I achievement
Egg Harbor City
Arithmetic Accuplacer Scores
70.0
60.0
50.0
40.0
Arithmetic - 8
Arithmetic - 7
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
2007
2008
2009
2010
Egg Harbor City
Algebra Accuplacer Scores
60.0
50.0
40.0
Algebra - 8
30.0
Algebra - 7
20.0
10.0
0.0
2007
2008
2009
2010
The Progressive Mathematics
Initiative (PMI)

PSI approaches were used to develop two
courses: Pre-Algebra and Algebra

Combines content developed by six middle
schools with the methods proven within PSI

Will measure results with NJ EOC Tests: ASK
tests and EOC Algebra I test
The Progressive Mathematics
Initiative (PMI)

PSI methods were first used to develop two
courses: Pre-Algebra and Algebra

Being piloted now with positive anecdotal
evidence

Will measure results with NJ EOC Tests:
ASK tests and Achieve EOC Algebra I test
The Progressive Mathematics
Initiative (PMI)

Algebra II and Pre-Calculus being piloted now

College Algebra being piloted at Kean
University

Being extended to K-5 Mathematics by June
2011 - Common Core aligned

K-12 to be completed with AP Calculus and
Geometry during Summer 2011
www.njctl.org
www.njctl.org
PSI and PMI are Solutions

That the U.S. faces serious challenges in
math and science education is well
understood

There has been much concern, but fewer
solutions

PSI and PMI represent those solutions
Progressive Teaching Initiatives

Interest has been expressed in using PSI and
PMI Methods for other subjects: PTI
Literacy
 History
 Global Studies
 Music
 Engineering


Extension of PTI to other subjects areas has
broad potential

The only limits are time, money and imagination
New Jersey Center for Teaching
and Learning
Robert Goodman, Ed.D.
NJ Center for Teaching and Learning
&
Bergen County Technical HS - Teterboro
bgoodman33@gmail.com