About MSSELI

Goals
The goal of MSSELI is to identify lead science teachers from San Diego City and County middle schools to participate in an intensive summer and academic year professional development program focused on science content, leadership strategies, and collaborations with area public and private scientific institutions.The selected MSSELI teachers are encouraged to lead at their schools, districts, and in the region. Throughout the school year, MSSELI Fellows participate in two rounds of Collaborative Lesson Study. 

The integrated plan for MSSELI is built on four interdependent, research-based components: 1) analysis of instructional materials; 2) quality instruction supported by ongoing professional development; 3) responsibility for instructional leadership throughout the system; and 4) collaboration and support from public and private scientific community partners – something that San Diego is well prepared to accomplish.

MSSELI's Current Reach and Impact

A meta-analysis of the research on student achievement demonstrates a positive correlation between academic performance and a high level of professional development amongst teachers, in the areas of both content and pedagogy (“Educating Teachers of Science,Mathematics and Technology,” NRC, 2000). MSSELI is geared toward fostering this development.

Since 2004, the program has provided targeted professional learning to 78 teachers representing 44 different middle schools across 18 school districts in the San Diego region. In a typical year, MSSELI provides leadership training and science curriculum development to up to 15 new teachers and 14 returning participants. Each participant receives approximately 88 hours of MSSELI training annually, impacting an average of 104 science classrooms and approximately 3,120 students per year.