Writing a Prospectus
The first step in the creation of a curriculum unit for PTI is the prospectus. This process was unfamiliar to many Fellows, and may be unfamiliar to you as well. For that reason, PTI offers this brief instruction on prospectus preparation.
Definition. A prospectus is a document prepared at the initiation of research project. Its purpose is to demonstrate that a proposed research project has a reasonable chance of success. Toward that end, it demonstrates two things. First, it shows that the idea for the project is a promising one by presenting this idea in brief (3-5 page) narrative form; this seminar will aid in its development, and why it is appropriate to your classroom. Second, it shows that the research itself is possible by presenting an initial bibliography of sources to be used in the preparation of the unit.
Rationale. Many of you, no doubt, have prepared curricula without ever preparing a prospectus, and may wonder why it is required here. The curricula prepared at PTI< like those prepared at Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute, are designed to be more than lesson plans; they are full-blown academic research projects with a fairly detailed explication of the ideas and research supporting each curriculum. This explication-which takes the form of the "narrative" described in the information on writing curriculum units, serves both to demonstrate the academically informed nature of the curriculum's content and to make the curriculum more accessible to other teachers, both in Pittsburgh and beyond. The prospectus helps get this process off on the right foot by getting you to begin thinking through the research early on in the process and by giving your seminar leader some idea of what you're working on and how s/he can be a resource for you.
A Final Word. The prospectus is not a contract. All research projects change from beginning to end, and you should not feel that an articulation of research proposal at this stage binds you strictly to what you propose. It is, again, designed to be a tool to help you, and help others help you, successfully complete your curriculum unit.
Remember, if you have any questions you can always call upon your Coordinator, your Seminar Leader, or the PTI Director.
