| The School of Education |
| Field Experience |
| P.A.L.M.S. (Partnership Advancing the Learning of Math and Science) |
| What is PALMS? |
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has received funding for a another five-year period from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the reform of math, science and technology education for all students. The Phase 2 funding is approximately $10 Million, matched in part by the state. This state project seeks to reform curriculum and instruction through a variety of strategies. One initiative is the formation of PALMS District Leadership or Change Teams representing teachers and administrators, assisted by "partners" from Higher Education, Parent Groups, Cultural Institutions or Museums, Businesses and Industry, and Adult Education Programs. Thus, the acronym for the project PALMS: Partnerships Advancing the Learning of Math and Science.
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| What is the PALMS Preservice Program? |
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The PALMS Preservice Teacher Program is pilot program beginning in January, 1998 which will offer selected College students in the Northeast, majoring in secondary, early childhood, and elementary education a unique practicum with new highly qualified mentors known as PALMS Teacher Leaders. These Teacher Leaders will mentor or supervise as local cooperating teachers or practitioners so that student teachers will student teach in classrooms where the curriculum used conforms to the Massachusetts Mathematics and Science/ Technology Curriculum Frameworks, and where teachers use the best practices advocated by National and State Educational Reform standards. School districts who have these qualified PALMS Teacher Leaders on their faculties will be eligible to participate. The program will be launched at Salem State College, and may be offered by other Northeast colleges and universities in succeeding years of PALMS Phase 2.
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| Who can Apply? |
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Preservice teachers registered for student teaching and who are completing the secondary science or math education programs or the early childhood, elementary, middle school programs may apply for the program.
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| Why Apply? |
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Students completing this program will:
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- Be more attractive to school districts for employment because participants will be grounded in the fundamentals of PALMS, the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, and the State Reform priorities.
- Be assigned to registered PALMS Teacher Leaders who have gone through a review process of their professional portfolios and have been found worthy of state registration as PALMS Teacher Leaders. You will be carefully matched with these cooperating teachers who can offer you an excellent chance for success as a new teacher.
- Be part of a select group who will receive a certificate that you have successfully completed this special PALMS program.
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| For More Information |
Professor Cleti Cervoni
Education Department
(978)542-7066
Statewide P.A.L.M.S.
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| Back to Fieldwork |
