Results
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 non-mainstream 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.