A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Audience All teachers in a school system that have adopted the IMPACT II model.

Description With the philosophy that many successful programs start in the classroom, IMPACT II works to improve instruction, facilitate collegiality, and retain good teachers by disseminating exemplary practices from teacher to teacher and across sites.

The IMPACT II model includes two types of financial awards provided directly to teachers. A Disseminator Grant supports creative effective classroom-based programs, and assists teachers in refining and disseminating the programs to other teachers. An Adaptor Grant made to teachers who wish to adapt the programs made available through disseminator teachers. Adaptations are made across grade levels, subject areas, and school and district lines.

In each IMPACT II site, a review committee (primarily consisting of teachers) determines who will receive grant awards, and site staff coordinates dissemination and recognition activities. The staff helps local teachers develop their dissemination and presentation skills.

Evidence of Effectiveness The average participating teacher talked to 43 other teachers about their exemplary program in the course of a year. Also, after a year with IMPACT II, teachers were almost twice as likely to change their teaching approach from large-group presentations to small-group, individualized, independent, interdisciplinary, or student-directed instruction. IMPACT II increased the sense of collegiality among teachers and self-esteem as a teacher based on quantitative and qualitative evaluations of teacher attitudes.

Requirements User school districts, teacher centers, education foundations, states, or consortia of school districts must have a minimum of 2,000 teachers, the critical number for maintaining and expanding a vital network. Superintendents and principals must supply release time for teachers to participate in interschool visits, workshops, and other networking activities. The program should include the basic model of disseminator and adaptor grant awards, the catalog of teacher-developed programs, and activities such as workshops and recognition ceremonies. Local program staff must include a director and a secretary. Existing staff members may be reassigned to these positions.

Services The six-month planning portion of IMPACT II costs about $6,000. Program costs recur from year to year and vary according to size of the teacher population. A typical small-size program costs about $150,000 per year, a large program (such as statewide) $200,000 - $300,000 per year. The total budget includes personnel costs.

Awareness materials are available at no cost. Project staff are available for awareness presentations and training, with all costs negotiable.

Contact

Ellen Meyers, Director of Communications, IMPACT II, Inc., 285 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013. (212) 966-5582. E-Mail: elmeyers@aol.com

Developmental Funding: Exxon Education Foundation, New York City Board of Education, other foundations.
PEP No. 87-15 (4/30/87)

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[Active Teaching and Learning (ATaL)]

[Learning to Teach in Inner-City Schools and With Diverse Populations (LTICS)]