The results are reported with regard to three domains: (a) background information about teacher preparation and professional development in science, science education, ESOL, and student diversity, (b) teacher knowledge of science content, science teaching, and English language development of ELL students, and (c) organizational supports and barriers in teaching science to nonmainstream students in urban schools. Teacher Preparation and Professional Development in Science and Student Diversity Table 3 presents the average number of science courses that the teachers reported taking at the undergraduate and/or graduate level. This question was asked to get an idea of the science background of the teachers. On average, they took two elementary science methods courses and one course each of physical, earth/space, and life science. The teachers’ training in ESOL is presented in Table 4. Over 50% of the teachers had ESOL training through college courses, including degree-bearing coursework at the undergraduate or graduate level. Additionally, close to 50% completed ESOL training offered by the school district. Slightly over 10% of the teachers did not have any ESOL training. Teachers were asked to report their participation in professional development activities (aside from our intervention from the larger project) related to (a) science or science education and (b) student diversity. The results are presented in Table 5.
The majority of the teachers never or rarely participated in professional development activities in either science/science education or student diversity during the school year.