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Teachers meeting with astronaut Mark Kelly, learning
to bring excitement and aspiration to the classroom |
ISSET offers an inspiring, motivational and effective NQT support
programme in partnership with Rice University and Houston Independent
School District
The
NQT programme includes:
- Guidance & mentoring from school and LEA leaders
- Inputs
from Rice University’s ‘Centre for Excellence
and Equity in
Education’
- Observation
and shadowing in schools in Houston
- Assistance
from Houston Independent School District leaders
- Inputs
from astronauts and industry leaders
Aims and Scope
The ‘NQT Improving Effectiveness’ programme
supports the attainment of standards for the Award of Qualified
Teacher Status, builds on the strengths identified in the
NQT ‘Career Entry Profile’ and supports the
fulfilment of objectives and action plans for the first
year of teaching.
The training provides supportive mentoring to assist NQT’s
with strategies to overcome current difficulties and helps
set medium and long-term career goals.
The assistance of astronauts, US industry
and educational leaders provides opportunities for inspiration
and for reinforcing the value of the role of the teacher and
the importance of education.
 What Does the
Programme Involve?
Without
losing any school or teaching time, the programme offers
a visit to Houston. Participants complete an observational
study in US schools and receive training from Houston Independent
School District, Rice University, personnel from Johnson
Space Centre and the aerospace industry.
The visit takes place over a week either during the February
half term, the Easter break or the October half-term.
The programme is available
to NQT teachers of any discipline.
There are many interesting
features of the US education system to observe especially
with regards to behaviour management, attendance and punctuality
practices, approaches to breaks and free time, lesson planning,
testing, assessment and reporting systems, educational environments,
motivational practices, extra-curricular developments, and
increased responsibilities for parents and students.
The
programme also offers a follow-up workshop, on-line support,
participation in an on-line virtual community and the provision
of CD and support materials.
Why Houston?
Houston is the largest city in southern
Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Centre |
ISSET has been involved in teacher and student education programmes in Houston since 2000.
Houston is a fascinating city within which to carry out the
work. It is the fourth largest city in the USA, with a population
that is approximately:
40% Hispanic Americans
30% black Americans
20% white Americans
10% drawn from a variety of races.
It
has both inner city schools and suburban schools, including
dual language schools.
Houston has many of the
problems and concerns of a very large multi-cultural inner
city, whilst also having great optimism that these concerns
can and are being overcome by inclusive policies and programmes.
Houston and Rice University have achieved national acclaim
for their work in narrowing the achievement gap between
majority and minority ethnic groups.
Houston also offers the
opportunity to take advantage of the inspirational and highly
motivating space programme that is based at NASA’s
‘Johnson Space Centre’, the home of Mission
Control and astronaut training.
The NQT Improving
Effectiveness Programme
Houston
Study Visit
Introductory Session
Observe
and partner in teaching at Houston schools |
School Observation & Texas State
Input :-
- Behaviour management
- Attendance & punctuality
- School ethos
- Use of assessment information
- Tracking student progress
- Use of ICT
- Wider educational development
- Equal
opportunities
- Progression through planning
- Personal responsibility
- Working with ethnic minorities
- Setting high standards
- State of the art educational development
Visit
Rice University, one of the finest US educational
institutions |
Rice University :-
- The achievement gap between majority & minority
ethnic groups
- Focusing on achievement of ethnic minorities
- ‘No Child Left Behind’ programme
- Importance of teams and team building exercise at ‘Houston
Museum of Natural Science’
Johnson Space Centre and Aerospace Industry :-
- VIP tour meeting astronauts, NASA & aerospace personnel
- How to inspire students
- The importance of personal goals
- High achievement for all
- Preparing for a world of global partnership and advanced
technological communication
Explore
space in the classroom at NASA's Johnson Space Centre |
Mentoring for :-
- Individual
difficulties
- Develop
team ethos
- Setting
goals
- Comparison
of US and UK approaches
- Career
Entry Profiles
- Personal
objectives & action plans
Online
virtual community and support
Personal objectives & action plans
Follow-up Workshop
- Reflections on US & UK approaches
- Career Entry Profiles
- Effective learning and teaching
- Behaviour management strategies
- Career development
Experience
professional tuition in seminars |
Future Dates:
- 13-20 Feb 2010 (Half-term)
Course Leader
Chris
Barber: Director
of ISSET
- 14 years experience in school leadership
- A leading educational consultant
For further information and to answer questions contact:
Julie Woodcock, ISSET
Tel: 02920 710295
E-mail: jwoodcock@isset.org
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