FAQs

The courses are offered on-site at school locations, at Castleton, Johnson, and Lyndon State Colleges, at private institutions of higher education in VT, and through the VT ESAs (Educational Service Agencies e.g. LAPDA, SEVLC, etc).

The 6-credit science content courses for Tier I (MA and Leadership Academy) are delivered in two-week residential summer institutes with an additional four days of follow-up.

During the intervening academic years, the VSI teacher will enroll in one 3-credit course each semester that will continue his/her preparation for a leadership role in science education. The course meets monthly for a total of three all day Friday/Saturday class sessions. Overnight accommodations and meals are provided.

The science content courses for the Tier II program are delivered in one-week summer institutes at an Institute of Higher Education. (note, these courses can also be taken to satisfy the content requirement for the Leadership Academy).

The Best Practices in Science Education Course is offered at your school, district, or regional center near you in a variety of formats depending on your site (after school sessions, release days, in-service, etc). The content courses are held at an Institute of Higher Education near the Tier II site.

Teachers who are interested in increasing their scientific content and science pedagogical content knowledge, and who are enthusiastic about having an influence on science curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment in their school and district should apply. Teachers who are interested in supporting others in their school or district in a role as a leader in science should apply to the MA or Leadership Academy.

All licensed teachers in grades K-8 are eligible to apply. High School teachers who have attended report the courses are useful to their teaching situations as well.

Yes. VSI courses are open for enrollment on a space available basis. Please see the applying section for a single course application form.

Tuition and fees for the 2011-2012 school year is $459/credit for Tier I courses and $465/credit for Tier II courses. Payment in the form of a check or P.O. is due at the time of application.

Yes. Contact the person in your district who controls the consolidated Federal program grants - usually the superintendent or curriculum coordinator.

Contingent on the funding for the grant year, VSI offers a $150 stipend for each successful completion of a Tier II, 2-credit content course. A $250 stipend is offered for the successful completion of the 4-credit Tier II program (a content course and the Best Practices course). At this time there are no funds available for tuition.

Go to the Applying page and download the application. Tier II programs are arranged through a curriculum specialist at the district level or through an ESA director at the regional level. Interested teachers should contact their local support person or the VSI staff. A minimum of 8-10 teachers is needed for the VSI Tier II program to run.