Improving student achievement in science is a national priority. To that end, increasing the number of skilled science teachers is also a national priority. New Jersey is taking on the challenge by training a talented corps of teachers who will lead the next generation to high levels of student achievement. The New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning in collaboration with Kean University has launched anew science teacher certification program designed for current certified teachers with great teaching skills and an interest in science education.
The PSI course sequence assumes has students participate in an algebra-based physics course first, followed by chemistry, then biology. The physics-chemistry-biology sequence is logical as biology requires a foundation of both chemistry and physics, and chemistry requires a foundation of physics.This sequence also supports higher levels of math achievement as math is embedded in the science program– students taking algebra and geometry experience a practical application of their math skills in their science classes.