About the LSC Program

LSCs, or Local Systemic Change projects, are funded under the Teacher Enhancement Program by the Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education (ESIE) at the National Science Foundation. LSC projects are district-level activities that focus on the professional development of teachers within the context of whole school organizations. For LSCs, the unit of change in educational reform is the school. LSC projects implement instructional materials that are recognized as exemplary and are consistent with standards for content and pedagogy. The LSC program began in 1995 and has since funded 84 projects.

LSC Projects by Cohort

COHORT	AWARDS	SCI	MATH	K-8	6-12
1	7	7		7
2	16	14	6	16
3	20	5	15	11	12
4	12	6	6	9	3
5	13	7	6	7	7
6	9	6	4	8	1
7	7	3	5	6	3

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Below we present some characteristics of this program, which were presented at NCTM 2002. The following information was prepared by Carol Fry Bohlin, Diane Spresser, F. Joeseph Merlino, and Lucy West. For further information see NSF Program Announcement and Guidelines for LSCs.

Goals

• Reform S/M/T Education in the Context of Entire Schools and School Systems
• Empower Teachers to Bring About Change
• Improve Instruction of all Teachers at Grade Level
• Implement Exemplary Instructional Materials
• Create Cost Effective Strategies

Components of all LSC Projects

• Shared comprehensive vision; active partnerships among stakeholders
• Long-term professional development-minimum 100 hours-for all teachers of science or mathematics at targeted grade levels, with emphasis on the enhancement of disciplinary knowledge and pedagogical skills
• Implementation of exemplary, comprehensive SMT instructional materials for use in all classrooms to impact all students at the targeted grade levels
• Alignment of professional development, instructional materials, and school policy and practice
• Framework for data collection provided by NSF
• Required cost share/commitment of resources on behalf of districts
• Maximum request for award determined by total number of teachers participating in 100/130 hours of professional development

LSC Program Logic

Supportive Context for Teaching Appropriate curriculum, assessment, materials management Time for teachers to plan, collaborate Support from administrators Support from parents and community

High Quality Professional Development Empowered Teachers Improved Instruction Improved Student Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills

Sustainable Professional Development System Capacity Structures Resources