Frameworks and Standards and Benchmarks…. Science Education Reform: A Brief History

A turning point… “Our Nation is at risk. Our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors throughout the world.” National Commission on Excellence in Education, April 1983

5 Major Recommendations Content – Strengthen graduation requirements and curriculum content Content – Strengthen graduation requirements and curriculum content Standards and Expectations – Adopt more rigorous and measurable standards and higher expectations Standards and Expectations – Adopt more rigorous and measurable standards and higher expectations Time – Devote significantly more time to instruction including longer school day and school year Time – Devote significantly more time to instruction including longer school day and school year Teaching – Improve the preparation of teachers and make the profession more rewarding and respected Teaching – Improve the preparation of teachers and make the profession more rewarding and respected Leadership and Fiscal Support – Citizens hold educators and elected officials responsible for leadership to achieve the reforms and provide fiscal support and stability that is necessary Leadership and Fiscal Support – Citizens hold educators and elected officials responsible for leadership to achieve the reforms and provide fiscal support and stability that is necessary

A bit of history… 1989: Bush (Sr.) Administration National Educational Goals Panel (NEGP) calls for establishment of challenging national achievement standards National Educational Goals Panel (NEGP) calls for establishment of challenging national achievement standards National Council of Education Standards and Testing (NCEST) formed National Council of Education Standards and Testing (NCEST) formed

A bit of history… 1994: Goals 2000 President Clinton signed the Educate America Act, creating a special council to certify national and state standards and state assessments President Clinton signed the Educate America Act, creating a special council to certify national and state standards and state assessments

The Problem… 82% of 12 th graders performed below the proficient level on the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress 82% of 12 th graders performed below the proficient level on the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress Student performance is progressively worse from 4 th through 12 th grade, as compared to other nations (1995 TIMMS) Student performance is progressively worse from 4 th through 12 th grade, as compared to other nations (1995 TIMMS)

2000 No Child Left Behind President Bush signs the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which calls for extensive implementation of state educational standards addressing national criteria tied to federal funding.

NCLB and Science Education Calls for “highly qualified teachers” who use research- based teaching methods Calls for “highly qualified teachers” who use research- based teaching methods Limits federal funding to programs backed by evidence Limits federal funding to programs backed by evidence Requires states to measure progress in each grade span (3- 5, 6-9, 10-12) annually by 2007 Requires states to measure progress in each grade span (3- 5, 6-9, 10-12) annually by 2007

Science Education Reform 1990: Science for All Americans (AAAS) 1993: Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS) 1996: National Science Education Standards (NRC)

Science Reform in Missouri Show-Me Standards Knowledge Standards Science Standards Curriculum Frameworks Grade Level Expectations Performance Standards Goals 1, 2, 3, 4

Show-Me Knowledge Standards: Science 1. Properties and principles of matter and energy 2. Properties and principles of force and motion 3. Characteristics and interactions of living organisms 4. Changes in ecosystems and interactions of living things with their environments 5. Processes and interactions of Earth’s biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere 6. Composition and structure of the universe and the motion of objects within it 7. Processes of scientific inquiry 8. Impact of science, technology, and human activity on resources and the environment

Grade Level Expectations (GLES) for Science Specific to each grade level (rather than K-4, 5-8, 9-12) Specific to each grade level (rather than K-4, 5-8, 9-12) Standards 1-8 addressed individually Standards 1-8 addressed individually Concepts within each standard are articulated Concepts within each standard are articulated Expectations (objectives) are provided for each concept Expectations (objectives) are provided for each concept

Let’s take a closer look… Benchmarks for Science Literacy Benchmarks for Science Literacy National Science Education Standards National Science Education Standards Missouri Grade Level Expectations for Science Missouri Grade Level Expectations for Science