Professional development and the implementation of standards [in engineering education]

New US National and State standards are being mandated for all children, including children with disabilities. The challenge is to ensure that teachers have the training and tools to meet the needs of a heterogeneous population. This presentation describes a professional development effort for teachers designed to model standard-based instruction in science, so that their students can achieve the standards. The professional development effort is comprehensive and includes summer and academic year content, methodology focused workshops, and a summer "practicum" experience. The training includes opportunities for collaborative teaching, upgrading knowledge of science and identifying, integrating and practising alternative approaches for teaching science, aligned with the standards. The program shows the teachers that the effort they expend will lead to development of coping skills and persistence in the teaching of science for all students.