Programs: Building Capacity for Literacy in K-12 Science

The VSI establishes a specific pathway to school leadership in science with its Master of Arts in Science Education (Tier 1) program. Teachers can choose to matriculate through Castleton, Johnson, or Lyndon State College for their degree. The initiative is strong in science content with 24 of the 36 required credits in science subject matter. Now in its fifth year, the VSI Tier 1 program has trained over 40 teachers and plans to add a fourth cohort of teachers in the summer of 2009. The Tier 1 teachers represent 36 schools and 30 supervisory unions/districts in Vermont, representing a broad spectrum of geographical areas in Vermont. (See the link below for a geographical distribution of VSI teachers in Vermont.)

The Tier 1 program integrates formal coursework with its application in the classroom. In each of the three science units, teachers spend two weeks in a summer campus residency immersed in content-rich and inquiry-based science. Coursework in content and effective science instruction continues during the academic year. To support the VSI teacher in his/her classroom, each participant also meets on a regular basis throughout the school year with a "mentor teacher leader." Administrator/teacher teams from every school work with the VSI leadership coordinator to develop and implement a leadership plan appropriate to the existing expertise, readiness, and culture of the specific school. We offer courses in:

  • content
  • pedagogy
  • assessment
  • leadership
  • science research
  • action research



“I know that for me time is the biggest commodity in my professional life. I am always trying to find more time to think deeply about what I am teaching and to discuss ideas with my colleagues. VSI provided the time, a fantastic group of colleagues from around the state with whom I could collaborate, and a wide range of instructors who were willing to work and accommodate with the group. The end result was us all focusing together for three years on science education--a truly unique experience.” - Amy Clapp, VSI graduate