What if I can't attend training during the summer 2016?

A question that has come up from a few individuals--I really want to come this summer for training/updated training but I probably will not be able to do so due to prior commitments.  What options are available for me if I can't attend this summer.

First of all everything at this point is tentative.  We are conducting pre-registration to just try and get an idea of how many materials we will need to purchase and to see if we will have enough funds to purchase those materials. 

Our first focus is compressed training this summer for teachers who have been previously trained during summer institute and full AMSTI summer training for those who have never received science training.  We will hopefully have a good idea on how much material to purchase by January or February through this pre-registration based on who is able to come this summer. 

We will then see how much we have remaining in funds and then begin some preliminary plans for compressed training during the school year.  We will hopefully be able to offer some compressed training during the school year but the number that can participate may be limited due to the expense of materials and training costs.  It may be we can conduct some training, but may not have kits available until the following year.  Until we see how our summer numbers turn out we will not be able to make plans for fall until late spring. 

AMSTI is also in the process of developing online compressed training.  With online compressed training, a teacher works through the science module and gets some guidance through the online course on lesson implementation.  The teacher must spend about an hour each week sharing how particular lessons went through message boards, and uploading documents/pictures.  This is probably the most effective form of training as a teacher must work through the lessons with students to receive certification in the kit.  However, this first year I am not very optimistic we will be able to support online training with specialist help or with materials (kits and teacher guides). 

To summarize, our current priorities in order:

Summer 2016

1. Previously science trained AMSTI teachers who are currently receiving science kits through compressed training.
2. Previously science trained AMSTI teachers who are not receiving kits due to grade level changes through compressed training.
3. Teachers at AMSTI schools who have never been science trained through Summer Institute.

Fall 2016

1. Face to face compressed training for teachers previously trained in AMSTI science.
2. Online compressed training for teachers previously trained in AMSTI science. 

Why pre-register?

You may be asking the question:  Why pre-register?   Before I answer essentially this is our request:

Please pre-register. 

Don't assume because you get materials now we will plan to buy for you to have later on.  We need to know now if you are willing to come this summer and are willing to use the materials.  If you are willing then we want to make sure we can get have the materials for your use during the 2016/17 school year. 

Essentially we have 900 active teachers who are currently receiving science kits.  About 3 years ago we had over 1200 who received science kits (the drop is because we have not had science training in the past 3 years). 
We know we will probably not be able to provide kits for all 900 active teachers plus the potential 300-500 new teachers at current AMSTI schools who we don't even know about because they are not in our database. 
Because our funds are so limited, we want to be strategic in our buying.  If we only have 90 second grade teachers wanting and willing to implement science modules beginning fall 2016 we want to only buy for those 90 and not the 150 that are currently on our list.  This is what will allow us to make sure our funds are spent as wisely as possible. 

So please.....pre-register!  :)

Tentative number of days of training at each grade level for new hire and compressed training

The above represents an early estimate on the number of training days per AMSTI training year.  The above information is subject to change.  Compressed training dates are estimates only but represent the anticipated number of days a previously trained AMSTI teacher would spend for both Year 1 and Year 2 science module compressed training.  New Hire training is for someone who has never participated in AMSTI Science summer training. 

A video message on AMSTI-UNA Plans to transition to new Course of Study

Will I get paid to attend training in the summer?--the limiting factor

This is the one blog post I really did not want to write!  You may remember the term limiting factor in some of your science classes.  It is essentially what limits a reaction from occurring in chemistry (limiting reagent) or in biology limits the growth of organisms (such as food, water, or other resources).

Until we have preregistration numbers confirmed I really cannot say with certainty but more than likely AMSTI-UNA will not be able to pay a stipend for any training in the summer.  Unfortunately the dollar is our limiting factor!  Our goal for summer 2016 is to train as many teachers as possible which means we need all available funds to purchase new kits and teacher guides. 

Before getting into the lack of stipends let me be upfront and state that I am 100% in favor of paying stipends.  This is beginning my 17th year in education and I know the sacrifices that this field requires.  Every post you will see will more than likely come late at night as I work on this after hours.  I know the sacrifices that come with this calling.  Summer training is no different.  Stipends don't make one wealthy but do help offset the expense of meals, travel, and help a little towards childcare. 

Here is a brief explanation of why I feel we will not be able to pay a stipend.  We have over 900 active teachers receiving science kits this current school year.  If we were to retrain all 900 next summer and pay our normal stipend of $100 per day it would cost us $90,000 for just one day!  We could easily spend a few hundred thousand dollars in stipends alone. 

To be totally transparent and honest, it took us from 2003 until roughly 2013 to build up to the inventory of science kits that we currently have.  Our yearly budget to refurbish and purchase new kits is a little over $300,000.  That sounds like a lot but half of that is to refurbish the kits and the other half is to purchase new kits which has allowed us to only train about 150 teachers per year (and pay a stipend) the last 4-5 years. 

The average cost per teacher to retrain this summer (compressed or new hire) without the stipend will cost over $1000 by the time you factor in new teacher manuals per module title along with the kit expense. 

So I've given several clues as to what the cost will be for our site to purchase and retrain for these new kits.  Hint:  look at total number of active teachers listed above and multiply by the cost per teacher (without stipend).  If you get a pretty large number for your answer you may understand why I sometimes have trouble sleeping at night!  Since we currently serve over 900 teachers with materials, we are having to make that tough choice of purchasing the materials over paying for stipends. 

Hopefully $1000 worth of material will be of value to you even if we can't pay the stipend!

Summer Training Dates---generalized

You may be wondering what our plans are for training....so do we!  :)

Here are our tentative plans at this time.  We will try to be more specific by February 2016.

For K-5 teachers who have never had any AMSTI science training we will have a full K-5 Year 1 and Year 2 AMSTI summer institute sometime during the time period of June 6 through June 17.

For 6-8 teachers who have never had any AMSTI science training, we will have a full 6-8 Year 1 and Year 2 AMSTI summer institute sometime during the time period of June 6 through June 23.

For teachers who have had previous AMSTI science training but need to retrain this summer we plan to have various compressed training sessions the month of June (June 6-June 30) 2016.  We will not know specific dates until preregistration occurs.

So please preregister so we will know which module sessions to offer. 

What will AMSTI be offering as far as materials?

Click on this link to go to the AMSTI state website to see the kits that will be part of the initiative. 

Please note that the materials that AMSTI will provide will cover the course of study 100%.

Link to 2015 Alabama Science Course of Study

The current 2005 Science Course of Study is still in effect the 2015/16 school year.  The ALEX website may not update to the 2015 Course of Study until Fall 2016 when the new Science COS is supposed to take effect.  Below is a link to access the current course of study.

https://www.alsde.edu/sec/sct/COS/2015%20FINAL%20Science%20COS%2010-1-15.pdf

AMSTI-UNA

Welcome to the blog site for AMSTI-UNA.  The primary purpose of this site will be to keep you informed and updated of any and all activities at our AMSTI site.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions that you might have!