Principals

Role of the Principal

In OUSD, principals are the instructional leaders for all core content areas, including science. Principals seek out information and support from their Science Teacher Leader and the Science Department, creating consistent learning spaces for teachers of science (PL and PLCs) and regularly observing science instruction and providing teachers with feedback.

Top 5 Actions for Principals

Make sure your Science Teacher Leader is on your Instructional Leadership Team
Make sure daily science instruction is in the master schedule. (For elementary, 3 - 4 times per week counts as "daily.")
Observe science instruction and provide feedback to teachers. (Recommendation: conduct at least 3 science learning walks per year with your Science Teacher Leader.)
Provide teachers with regular collaboration time for science. (Grades K-5: monthly, Middle & High: 2-3 times per month)
Make sure your teachers receive ongoing PD in science. (Plan a cycle for science at your site, or make sure your teachers tap into district PD!)

Science Program Development Continuum

The TK-12 Science Program Development Continuum is a tool designed to help site leaders assess, goal-set, and develop the science program at their site to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The Continuum is based on the Inverness Research reports on the Center for Urban Science Education Reform (CUSER), the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI), the Portland Urban Systemic Initiative (USP), and BaySci: A Partnership for Bay Area Science Education Supporting Districts and Teachers to Improve Science Education in Bay Area Schools -- Evaluation Report. The Continuum identifies eleven program areas, such as Science and Language Development, Data Driven Instruction, Principal Leadership, and Teacher Leadership.

TK-12 Science Development Continuum 2017-18.pdf

NGSS Information for Principals

2011: National Framework for K-12 Science is released
2012: OUSD begins NGSS transition, training Teacher Leaders and Principals
2013: California Adopts Next Generation Science Standards
2013: OUSD joins nine other districts across the State in the NGSS Early Implementation Initiative
2014 - 2017: NGSS Interim Curriculum & Assessments Developed (SIRA K-5, NGSS Curriculum 6-9)
2016: CAST (NGSS StateTest) Pilot
2018: CAST Field Test
2019: CAST -- 1st Operational Year (scores released)

NGSS Overview for Principals.pdf

Science Learning Walk Protocol

As an Instructional Leader for Science, you'll want to regularly observe classroom instruction in science, look for patterns, and use observational data to both provide teachers with individual feedback and plan for schoolwide professional learning.

Here are tools to support your Science Learning Walk.

If you'd like someone from the OUSD STEM team to join you or support you with your learning walk, please reach out!

Network 2, Dante.Ruiz@ousd.org
Network 3, Maryam.Cermal@ousd.org
Network 4, Raquel.Jones@ousd.org
Middle & High School, Herberta.Zulueta@ousd.org
NGSS Early Implementation Schools , SarahPipping@ousd.org
Director, PK-12 STEM, Brenda.Tuohy@ousd.org

OUSD Science Instructional Core.pdf

ScienceLearningWalkTool.pdf

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