Achieving the Reforms Vision: The Effectiveness of a Specialists‐Led Elementary Science Program

This report describes an evaluation project that aimed to assess the potential of two elementary science specialists, as compared to elementary classroom teachers, to realize the reforms vision for science instruction in elementary classrooms. Participant science specialist background, views of elementary science teaching, and planning and assessment practices were compared to those of regular elementary classroom teachers in the specialist district, as well as in a comparable district not employing specialists. Specialists' views and practices were better aligned with those envisioned by current national reform documents in science education. Despite the constraints imposed by the nature of a program evaluation, the present report provides evidence to suggest that students taught by the science specialists (a) were engaged in open‐ended, inquiry‐oriented, science‐based activities of the kind often advocated, but mostly absent, in elementary school, and (b) demonstrated problem solving and higher order and critical thinking skills. This report is the first to provide empirical support for the advocated “effectiveness” of elementary science specialists in achieving the visions espoused by current reform efforts.