Excellence in Rural Science Teaching: Examining Elements of Professional Development Models

This paper introduces the Learning through Inquiry Science and Technology (LIST) program conceived in 1997 as a professional development program to familiarize science teachers with inquiry-based science instruction, instructional technology integration, and alternative assessment techniques in order to change their traditional teacher-centered instructional strategies to a more learner-centered approach. Key design elements of the LIST model include administrative endorsement, discipline-wide adoption, on-site delivery, participant input, clear expectations, quality instruction, collaborative climate, continued support, and incentives. Evaluation results indicate positive teacher and student outcomes and positive effects on partnerships for teachers and professional development partners. (KHR)