Task force studies needs in science education
Published: February 28, 2005
With the focus of state and federal accountability systems being on reading and math, many educators fear students will graduate without a firm grasp of scientific concepts and methods. To help right the course of science education in the state, the California School Boards Association and the California Science Teachers Association have begun work on a joint task force to study the issue and make recommendations.
The first meeting of the task force on Feb. 5 included briefings by the state Department of Education.
Phil Lafontaine, manager of the office of math and science leadership at CDE, provided an overview of the Science Content Standards and the Science Framework, which outlines the way each standard may be presented in the classroom. He also reviewed some of the resources available:
- California received $20 million in federal grants for math and science partnership grants in 2004-05 to provide professional development and research effective practices. To qualify, local education agencies pair with higher education and math, science and engineering professionals to raise student achievement.
- The California Subject Matter Project in science helps teachers develop their own understanding of science and provides training to help them become more effective teachers. The CSMP sponsors thousands of events each year at university and college sites throughout the state.
California students are tested on their mastery of the standards at the end of a course in earth science, biology, chemistry or physics in high school, and at grade 5. However, students not enrolled in one of the designated courses are not tested. In 2004, only as many as 30 percent of tested students scored proficient, said Deb Sigman, director of the Standards and Assessment division at CDE. Science now counts for roughly 15 percent of a high school’s score on the state Academic Performance Index.
Knowing what science teaching and assessment currently looks like will help the task force to shape its work during future meetings, said Dr. Kerry Clegg, CSBA President and co-chair of the task force.
The task force will next consider what schools need to help all students master the science standards, and will ultimately provide recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes to increase support for science education.
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