Elementary Science Specialists and Classroom Generalists: Are There Differences in Science Instruction, Student Achievement, and Cost?

Funded by the National Science Foundation, this three-year project will examine and compare the quality and quantity of science instruction provided by classroom generalists versus that provided by science specialists.

The project will:

• Document the financial and human resources required by each science teaching model
• Determine whether there are meaningful differences between the models and, if so, whether these differences affect student outcomes

Findings generated by this study will inform:

• The research community, where these questions have not yet been investigated
• State, district, and school policymakers, as they decide how to allocate limited resources to provide quality science instruction