In this symposium, paper presenters and discussants examine the collaborative efforts of the Los Angeles Unified School District , two local California State Universities , and the SCALE project (an NSF- funded math/science partnership). The objectives of the symposium are to (1.) examine how actors from the various organizations and levels negotiate and reformulate their roles as a result of participation in the partnership activity and, consequently, how such changes enhance their capacities to contribute to science education reform through sustained implementation of curriculum units that foster students’ in-depth understanding of key science concepts through scientific inquiry; and (2.) analyze the extent to which the partnership activities help these units become a core part of the curriculum.

In J. Green, G. Camilli, & P. Elmore, Complementary methods for research in education (3rd ed.). Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.

This paper was recently completed for publication and will be shared with SCALE districts and Goal 1 team members to inform development work.