EDT Centers
The Department of Teacher Education administers two centers:
The Discovery Center for science and mathematics teaching and learning
The Heckert Center for Children's Reading and Writing
Ohio 's systemic initiative, Discovery , has promoted systemic change in science and mathematics teaching and learning by providing high-quality, sustained professional development to teachers and administrators throughout Ohio since 1991. In 1997, institutes for educational leaders were added to assist principals and other administrators in facilitating school-wide reform. From 1991 to 2004, Discovery provided professional development for approximately 15,000 Ohio mathematics and science teachers and for approximately 420 principals and other administrators.
Further, the Discovery Center at Miami University has evaluated the impact of science and mathematics reform in Ohio since 1994 with the initiation of the Landscape Study, followed by an NSF supported study, Bridging the Gap: Equity in Systemic Reform , in 1997. These studies used a multi-level research design collecting quantitative data from a random sample of 100-150 Ohio schools per year and both quantitative and qualitative data from a subset of those schools.
Its research activities have evolved into the Evaluation & Assessment Center for Mathematics and Science Education at Miami University . The E&A Center 's activities include externally-funded evaluation and research projects in K-16 science and mathematics. It serves as an evaluator for numerous projects in Ohio and the nation.
The professional development of Discovery and the evaluation activities of the E&A Center have been recognized both in Ohio, through invited presentations to the Ohio General Assembly, the Joint Council of the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Mathematics and Science Coalition, etc., and nationally though invited presentations at the National Science Foundation and the Council of Chief State School Officers as well as Congressional testimony.
The Discovery Center maintains its own web site.
Established in 1983 with endowment funds, the Heckert Center for Children's Reading and Writing has the following goals:
… To demonstrate models of excellence in teaching reading and writing;
… To provide resources for the study and improvement of children's reading and writing;
… To serve as a center for development and dissemination of research in children's reading and writing;
… To become an information exchange center through faculty publications and through communications received from colleagues at other institutions.