Article 2. California Science Project of California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 28. >> Chapter 13. >> Article 2.

With funds appropriated therefor, the University of California, upon approval by the regents, shall establish a cooperative endeavor entitled the California Science Project, to be administered jointly with the Trustees of the California State University in cooperation with the State Department of Education. Science projects shall be distributed throughout the state so that public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary school personnel located in rural, urban, and suburban areas may avail themselves of science education. "Project," as used in this chapter, means the California Science Project.

The project shall establish an advisory committee to recommend proposals to be funded and criteria for project evaluation. The advisory committee shall evaluate the progress of the project and recommend appropriate changes.

The advisory committee shall include:
  (a) One representative selected by the California Postsecondary Education Commission.
  (b) Two representatives selected by the President of the University of California, one of whom has the responsibility for teaching science.
  (c) Two representatives selected by the Chancellor of the California State University, one of whom has the responsibility for teaching science.
  (d) Two representatives selected by the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, one of whom has the responsibility for teaching science.
  (e) Four public school classroom teachers of science, and one additional representative, selected by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
  (f) One teacher of science plus a representative selected by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities.
  (g) One representative of business and industry selected by the Industry Education Council of California.
  (h) One representative of California labor, selected by the California branch of the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO).
  (i) One representative of the National Science Supervisors Association.
  (j) One representative of a national laboratory, selected by the Regents of the University of California.

The project shall establish criteria for approval of science projects. These criteria shall include, but not be limited to, the extent to which:
  (a) The science project addresses the need to integrate existing standards of science competence in the curriculum at each school level.
  (b) The science project establishes clear and informed approaches to the needs of women and minorities for continuing with those science courses required to enhance future career options.
  (c) The science project is designed to expand the base of scientific knowledge and the repertoire of teaching techniques of participating teachers and their colleagues in science teaching, and the scientific knowledge of students attending the classes they attend.
  (d) Neighboring institutions have worked collaboratively to develop a proposal which clearly indicates their intention to continue to work cooperatively through the duration of the project.
  (e) Participating districts, colleges, universities, businesses, federal laboratories, and individual scientists intend to provide financial and personnel support for the science project.
  (f) Selection of participating teachers will create school-based or district-based teams of leaders for improvement of science education at all grade levels.
  (g) Participating districts, colleges, universities, and businesses intend to use the expertise of participating teachers for leadership among their teaching colleagues.
  (h) The science project provides continuing science education to teachers in the public schools.
  (i) Scientists in both the public and private sector are recruited to enhance the science project by providing facilities or personnel support.

Proposals for science projects which meet the criteria specified in Section 52958 shall be submitted to the advisory committee for review and recommendation. The advisory committee shall establish procedures to assure that individuals reviewing a specific proposal do not submit the proposals for a science project. The Regents of the University of California shall provide funding to projects which, as a group, provide a comprehensive approach to solving the problems identified in Section 52951. Agencies eligible to submit a proposal for a project shall include, but are not limited to, school districts, county superintendents of schools, colleges, universities, and national laboratories.

The Educational Technology Committee and the State Board of Education shall give careful consideration to funding proposals for classroom application utilizing computers, videos, and other educational technology which would enhance the project.

The advisory committee shall develop criteria for evaluating each project. The criteria shall include at least the following elements:
  (a) The change in science knowledge and pedagogical techniques for teaching science of participating teachers served by the local project.
  (b) Participants' attitudes towards the effectiveness of the local project.
  (c) Changes in classroom behavior and perceived in-class teaching effectiveness.
  (d) Participants' contribution to ongoing teacher retraining and in-service programs.
  (e) Any change in the students' knowledge of science due to their teacher's participation in the science project.

(a) The executive director of the project and the advisory committee shall secure the maximum amount of funding available from the federal government, universities and colleges, school districts, county boards of education, the State Department of Education, and the private sector. The funding may be provided through in-kind contributions.
  (b) To the extent possible, training provided to teachers shall be eligible for credit through the University of California or the California State University.

This article does not apply to the University of California unless the regents, by resolution, make these provisions applicable.