Improved Effectiveness Through Increased Cooperation American Geological Institute May 19-20, 2003 National Academy of Sciences Building “ Developing the Earth Science Teacher Corps” Robert W. Ridky Director’s Office U.S. Geological Survey

School districts - 14,571 The K-12 Consumer Market Schools - 92,012 K-12 Teachers million K-12 Enrollment million 9-12 Enrollment million 7-12 Teachers million

National Science Standards: “what students should know and be able to do ” Earth Science Physical Science Life Science

“Now, for the first time in our nation’s history, we have a call to action, a dramatic call for change, and one that specifically states that all students, at all grade levels, should receive earth science instruction.” National Research Council

All Teachers in Mathematics and Science, Grades 9-12, 1990 to 1998 EARTH SCIENCE ,241 13,425

Professor 6168 Assoc. Professor 2707 Asst. Professor 3145 Total 12,020

“there are severe shortages of certified science teachers... many states and districts are having difficulty hiring and assigning well-prepared teachers in the field of earth science.”

Articles in Geotimes, Eos, GSA Today and other societal journals concerning importance of establishing earth science t.p. programs obtain and distribute to chairs state by state e.s. teacher certification requirements (including full range of alternative certification options now available What we should do:

obtain and distribute to chairs examples of t.p. programs that can serve as blueprints for a range of geoscience departments hold symposia and special sessions in conjunction with annual and regional meetings where “how to” models are presented What we should do:

Survey of Geoscience Departments Earth Science Teacher Preparation Programs 410 surveys sent out 268 responses Summary of Responses 1. Does your department offer an e.s. teacher preparation program or track? Yes – 144 No – 116 Pending/In Progress – 2 Comment – 4 No Comment – 2

A Small Workshop by Invitation May 16 & 17, 2003 This workshop will bring together geoscience faculty, teachers, and members of schools of education to discuss how geoscience departments can assist in the development of the required number of well-trained Earth Science teachers.