David Jose Verdugo EdD ’05, superintendent of Paramount Unified School District, has observed considerable improvements in student achievement as a result of a multidisciplinary collaboration of several USC Schools to transform middle school science and math education in his district.
The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) awarded a four-year $1 million grant in 2009 for professional and curriculum development in five high-need middle schools in the district. The objective of the project was to provide professional development in science, technology, engineering and math education that would increase students’ literacy and inspire them to choose careers in the STEM fields.
Now in its fourth and final year, the project has resulted in marked growth in student achievement on California standards assessment testing in science and math, according to alum Deborah Stark EdD ’01, who serves as assistant superintendent for educational services at Paramount.
Since the project began, math scores have increased from 36 percent proficient or above to 51 percent for sixth graders; from 38 percent proficient or above to 62 percent for seventh graders; and from 51 percent proficient or above to 67 percent for eighth graders in algebra. Paramount educators have also seen a significant improvement in science, with eighth graders testing at 64 percent proficient or above – up from 50 percent in 2009.
The project involved professional development with 55 Paramount teachers from five middle schools, who received support from a diverse cadre of USC faculty, including those from Rossier as well as Viterbi School of Engineering, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Paramount teachers and curriculum department staff met with USC professors over two summer sessions that included videotaping the teachers with students and doing critiquing to improve methods and planning.
In addition to Dr.Verdugo and Dr. Stark, practitioners involved with the project included Rossier alumni Erica Bowers EdD ’06 and Laura Keisler EdD ‘06, who provided the professional development on literacy for the project.
As a result of the CPEC grant, Paramount Unified also implemented science notebooks in grades 6 to 8 to increase students’ application of writing in science; allowed teachers who teach the same subjects at different schools to plan lessons together; created a common process for teaching science labs in all five middles schools; purchased interactive technology for math teachers to check for students’ understanding; and purchased an interactive math program for additional support for students.
“This project exemplifies our recognition that we all must reach beyond the confines of our own schools, departments and subject areas and join forces as partners in order to create real change in education,” said USC Rossier School dean Karen Symms Gallagher. “This work with Paramount, supported by great Rossier alumni, has had a greater and more positive impact on this district than any one of us could have facilitated on our own.”
Karen Symms Gallagher
- Professor of Education
