This past summer, 25 mathematics teachers and 22 science teachers participated in the PIMMS/ BEST Beginning Educators Support and Training Program for Exemplary Mathematics and Science Teachers. PIMMS formed this partnership with Connecticut State Department of Education to expand the program of training for BEST portfolio scorers to include professional development on effective teaching, support and mentoring new teachers, and leadership development.
   The Standards, use of technology, the importance of standardized testing, and the needs of students who will live in the new millennium provide significant challenges for all mathematics and science teachers. In order to meet these challenges, teacher–leaders must be prepared. PIMMS and CSDE recognize this need, and the participating mathematics and science teachers took on the task of preparing for this leadership role.
   The PIMMS/BEST program was designed to produce a cadre of educators who will make significant contributions to the quality of present and future mathematics and science teaching in Connecticut. Teachers gained expertise in student and teacher assessment, reflective practices, and good teaching strategies. They will support beginning teachers as they go through the portfolio process, and they will provide leadership for their colleagues.
   There was a sense of excitement, accomplishment, and satisfaction at the end of the two-week programs. In 33 school districts around the state, these teachers are ready to play a leadership role in their schools and districts because PIMMS and CSDE offered this unique program.
   "Every day spent in the PIMMS/BEST workshop was filled with challenges and rewards. I learned more about teaching and learning during this one workshop than in all my graduate work and other professional development programs combined!" Liz Buttner, Science Teacher in – Residence at CSDE.

   Next summer PIMMS will initiate a new Fellowship program, the PIMMS Leadership Institute. Following a format similar to previous programs, the Institute will be a two-year, multi-week program with follow-up sessions held during the academic year after each summer program. The preliminary planning calls for teams of mathematics and science teachers representing elementary, middle and high school levels to attend. It is expected that districts will nominate teachers with a solid content background at their grade levels and with the potential of becoming the future leaders of mathematics and science education in CT.

Institute Mission To create a network of skilled and knowledgeable teacher-leaders who will serve as effective agents-of-change in leading their colleagues, their school district, and schools throughout CT to a higher level of excellence in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

   Following the concept of previous PIMMS Fellowship programs, the Institute will maintain a balance among subject matter content, pedagogical issues, and leadership. Innovative uses of technology will be a strong theme woven throughout all aspects of the program. The leadership component will focus on contemporary issues in mathematics and science education such as national Standards, the CT State Frameworks, the new generation of CMT and CAPT assessment programs, and the BEST program for new teachers.
   The Leadership Institute follows the history of transition of PIMMS Fellowship programs to meet the needs of mathematics and science educators in CT. Over the past 18 months, a new Fellowship program has been a topic of discussion among PIMMS staff, Fellows, CT's mathematics and science leaders, and the PIMMS Advisory Council. The message to PIMMS staff has been consistent and clear – there is a growing need for a new cohort of mathematics and science leaders in districts across the state.
   Over the past 20 years, Fellowship programs developed a cadre of teachers who have become mathematics and science leaders in schools and districts. Some have retired and, in the next five to eight years, many more will also, leaving districts with the need to replace them with teachers with new leadership skills and expertise in order to maintain and improve the high quality mathematics and science programs now in place.
>With this in mind, PIMMS staff enlisted the help of Fellows who have distinguished themselves as leaders to help develop plans for this new program. Frank Corbo, K–12 mathematics coordinator in Staples, and Fred Myers, science chair at Farmington High School, worked during the summer and drafted a concept plan for the Institute. They were recently joined by Heather Giancola, elementary mathematics coordinator for Darien Public Schools, and Eileen Bengtson, elementary science coordinator for the Weston Public Schools, in order to bring an elementary-level perspective to the project team.
On September 30, a Focus Group of teachers, district mathematics and science coordinators, school administrators, and one school board member met to review the draft plan and to provide additional input for the project development team. The project team is reviewing the input of the Focus Group and will meet throughout the school year to develop final plans for the Institute that will begin in the summer of 2000. A full description of the Leadership Institute and application procedures will be contained in the PIMMS 2000 Summer Program.