Oregon Collaborative for Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers (OCEPT)

WRITE ON!

Empowering Writing Retreats for STEM Faculty

OCEPT GoalsProduce well prepared K-12 teachers of mathematics

and science for the state of Oregon and increase the number of middle and high school mathematics and science teachers

Increase the diversity of K-12 teachers in mathematics and science

Build an infrastructure in Oregon to sustain the progress achieved in the project

Objectives to achieving goals

Faculty professional development

Development of academic courses and programs offered for future teachers

Institutional and inter-institutional development of Pre-Education advising and articulation programs

Student outcomes

OCEPT MaturesFocus turns towards evaluation and dissemination

Enhancement of opportunities for reporting on work accomplished through publications

Faculty development and dissemination goals combine and WRITE ON! is created

WRITE ON! Goals

Encourage evaluation and data collection

Disseminate OCEPT supported work

Professional developmentWriting as a practice

Writing skills

Foster collaborative writing community

Broadening science & mathematics education awareness

Getting Started

Key Aspects of Writing Retreat Model

Duration-3.5 days with evening startQuiet retreat setting

No distractions such as: radio, TV, clock, phone, or internet

Writing coach-Diane SmithRetreat facilitatorSpecific goal settingPre and real-time assessmentDiscussion of writing barriersWriting tools

Key Aspects of Writing Retreat Model

Planned social time, “WRITE OFF”Collaborative writing communityRewarding efforts-pen ceremonyStipend upon submission of articleParticipant follow-up support

Free editingEmail support and remindersProfessional conference support

WRITE ON! Results 2001-03

Five retreats with 42 participants

11 writing teams (focused on 1-2 articles)

37 articles submitted

28 have been published

Some K-12 teachers, undergraduates and community college instructors participated as novice writers

WRITE ON! 2003 participants with pens and member initiation symbol!

Continued Collaboration & Dissemination

Advise and assist other CEPT’s and institutions on writing retreats

Maine’s Mathematics & Science Teaching Excellence Collaborative- Dr. Richard Stebbins, PI

Continued Collaboration & Dissemination

Facilitated two K-12 Science & Mathematics retreats in 2003

Results!!18 teachers100% Submission rate! 26 Articles submitted, 20 published, 5 accepted,

2 in draft stage19 statewide publications, 7 national publicationsMany novice writers

Writing Team from University of Portland receives an acceptance letter for publication of their paper.

WRITE ON!