http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/budding-scientist/2012/02/01/u-s-state-science-standards-are-mediocre-to-awful/
QuoteA new report from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute paints a grim picture of state science standards across the United States. But it also reveals some intriguing details about exactly what's going wrong with the way many American students are learning science.
Standards are the foundation upon which educators build curricula, write textbooks and train teachers– they often take the form of a list of facts and skills that students must master at each grade level. Each state is free to formulate its own standards, and numerous studies have found that high standards are a first step on the road to high student achievement. "A majority of the states' standards remain mediocre to awful," write the authors of the report. Only one state, California, plus the District of Columbia, earned straight A's. Indiana, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Virginia each scored an A-, and a band of states in and around the northwest, including Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Nebraska, scored F's. (For any New Yorkers reading this, our standards earned a respectable B+, plus the honor of having "some of the most elegant writing of any science standards document").
What exactly is going wrong? The study's lead authors identified four main factors: an undermining of evolution, vague goals, not enough guidance for teachers on how to integrate the history of science and the concept of scientific inquiry into their lessons, and not enough math instruction.
Let's take these one by one. For evolution, the report points out that eight anti-evolution bills were introduced in six state legislatures last year. This year, two similar bills were pre-filed in New Hampshire and one in Indiana. "And these tactics are far more subtle than they once were," write the authors. "Missouri, for example, has asterisked all 'controversial' evolution content in the standards and relegated it to a voluntary curriculum that will not be assessed ... Tennessee includes evolution only in an elective high school course (not the basic high school biology course)." Maryland, according to the report, includes evolution content but "explicitly excludes" crucial points about evolution from its state-wide tests.
States cited for vague standards include Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. One example: New Jersey fourth graders are asked to "Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationships among fundamental concepts in the physical, life and Earth systems sciences." Meanwhile, in A-scoring California, the standards explain to teachers and curriculum writers much more specifically that "Electricity and magnetism are related effects that have many useful applications in everyday life." The standards go on to list half a dozen specific skills and facts that students must master in order to understand that overarching concept, such as "Students know electrical energy can be converted to heat, light, and motion."
The report also notes that standards for introducing scientific inquiry into classrooms are, in many states, vague to the point of uselessness. In Idaho, students are "merely asked to 'make observations' or to 'use cooperation and interaction skills.' "
Finally, the report noted that few states make the link between math and science clear. In its own words: "Mathematics is integral to science. Yet .. many [states] seem to go to great lengths to avoid mathematical formulae and equations altogether."
A December report by Change the Equation, a group of CEOs working to support President Obama's Educate to Innovate campaign, also found that states set radically different expectations for students in science. The report looked not at the standards themselves but at how each state scores its assessment tests and how it defines "proficiency" in the subject.
Lastly, a bit of good news. At least 26 states have signed on to an effort to write new, common "Next Generation Science Standards" that will be more rigorous and specific than what many states currently have on the books. To read more about that effort, visit http://www.nextgenscience.org/ or http://www.achieve.org/ or read the document upon which the standards will be based here.
Science is not on the standardized tests so no reason to teach it anyway.
Here is the map:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.scientificamerican.com%2Fbudding-scientist%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F02%2FScience-Standards-Map-02.01.12.jpg&hash=23c54da39e932115cb2e72a09a040c0a2feaac81)
Wahoo! In your FACE OKlahoma!
Sort of funny that Kansas, the crazy anti-evolution state, is one of the better places in teaching science.
I know when I think of DC, I think of great schools. :huh:
Our uniquely stupid tradition of public election of officials to local school boards doesn't help, either.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:42:04 PM
Our uniquely stupid tradition of public election of officials to local school boards doesn't help, either.
That isnt unique. That is the most rational way of allocating resources. From the article it appears the dumbing down occurs on the State level. Not much one can do if the electorate choose dumb Fox viewing people to that level of political office.
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 14, 2012, 12:48:03 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:42:04 PM
Our uniquely stupid tradition of public election of officials to local school boards doesn't help, either.
That isnt unique. That is the most rational way of allocating resources.
No, it is certainly not rational.
QuoteFrom the article it appears the dumbing down occurs on the State level. Not much one can do if the electorate choose dumb Fox viewing people to that level of political office.
Sure there is; federalize it.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Not sure that makes sense either. In the Canadian context it wouldnt work. Provinces are better suited for running the education system and to reflect the needs of their province.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Right. 'Cause that's worked so well with the NCLB stuff. :rolleyes:
It's a budget thing. Teaching Science well requires supplies - a lot of expensive supplies the further up you go. It also requires, well, requirements. High school students are only required to have two years of Science, though they're required to have three years of math, four years of social studies, and four years of Engligh/Lit. On top of that, as has been alluded to, there are very few standardized tests for Science, so there isn't the same kind of concentration on it.
Want better Science scores? Fix the above.
Quote from: merithyn on November 14, 2012, 01:00:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Right. 'Cause that's worked so well with the NCLB stuff. :rolleyes:
I'm not talking about requirements from the Feds, I'm talking about the Feds running the public school system directly. So roll your eyes elsewhere. MOR GUVMINT IS BETTOR
Quote from: merithyn on November 14, 2012, 01:00:30 PM
It's a budget thing. Teaching Science well requires supplies - a lot of expensive supplies the further up you go. It also requires, well, requirements. High school students are only required to have two years of Science, though they're required to have three years of math, four years of social studies, and four years of Engligh/Lit. On top of that, as has been alluded to, there are very few standardized tests for Science, so there isn't the same kind of concentration on it.
Want better Science scores? Fix the above.
How about not electing the local church ladies' auxiliary club to the fucking school board first?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 01:02:45 PM
Quote from: merithyn on November 14, 2012, 01:00:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Right. 'Cause that's worked so well with the NCLB stuff. :rolleyes:
I'm not talking about requirements from the Feds, I'm talking about the Feds running the public school system directly. So roll your eyes elsewhere. MOR GUVMINT IS BETTOR
Not when it comes to this, it isn't. Obviously.
Quote from: merithyn on November 14, 2012, 01:04:26 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 01:02:45 PM
Quote from: merithyn on November 14, 2012, 01:00:30 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Right. 'Cause that's worked so well with the NCLB stuff. :rolleyes:
I'm not talking about requirements from the Feds, I'm talking about the Feds running the public school system directly. So roll your eyes elsewhere. MOR GUVMINT IS BETTOR
Not when it comes to this, it isn't. Obviously.
Don't bark at me, I'm not the one that spelled "Jack" wrong, lady. :P
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 01:05:08 PM
Don't bark at me, I'm not the one that spelled "Jack" wrong, lady. :P
His name is Jackson. We named the dog Jak. :glare:
NO DOG LEFT BEHIND DAMMIT
Is America broken yet ?
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 14, 2012, 01:32:21 PM
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
So the smaller pack animals brought down a large but isolated creature. :hmm:
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 14, 2012, 12:54:57 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Not sure that makes sense either. In the Canadian context it wouldnt work. Provinces are better suited for running the education system and to reflect the needs of their province.
That becomes a problem when the "unique needs of the state" include pandering to an electorate that believes the earth was created 6000 years ago, any you want to teach their kids science. :lol:
Quote from: mongers on November 14, 2012, 01:34:45 PM
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 14, 2012, 01:32:21 PM
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
So the smaller pack animals brought down a large but isolated creature. :hmm:
:lol:
Quote from: Malthus on November 14, 2012, 01:46:07 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 14, 2012, 12:54:57 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Not sure that makes sense either. In the Canadian context it wouldnt work. Provinces are better suited for running the education system and to reflect the needs of their province.
That becomes a problem when the "unique needs of the state" include pandering to an electorate that believes the earth was created 6000 years ago, any you want to teach their kids science. :lol:
I would rather have the ability to deal with such idiots on the local level - easier to get rid of. Of course in the US where there are dense concentrations of such people I suppose the best thing to do is to move to a State where there are fewer such idiots.
A Federally run system sounds fine when someone who is not Stockwell Day or his American equivalent is running things but what happens if they are - where do you go then?
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 01:04:00 PM
Quote from: merithyn on November 14, 2012, 01:00:30 PM
It's a budget thing. Teaching Science well requires supplies - a lot of expensive supplies the further up you go. It also requires, well, requirements. High school students are only required to have two years of Science, though they're required to have three years of math, four years of social studies, and four years of Engligh/Lit. On top of that, as has been alluded to, there are very few standardized tests for Science, so there isn't the same kind of concentration on it.
Want better Science scores? Fix the above.
How about not electing the local church ladies' auxiliary club to the fucking school board first?
How about not letting savages from Mississippi decide how schools in good states are run?
Hey! Mississippi got a C!
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on November 14, 2012, 03:00:38 PM
Hey! Mississippi got a C!
Another oddity is whenever US education is discussed South Carolina is always way at the top. Who knew?
Quote from: Malthus on November 14, 2012, 01:46:07 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 14, 2012, 12:54:57 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Not sure that makes sense either. In the Canadian context it wouldnt work. Provinces are better suited for running the education system and to reflect the needs of their province.
That becomes a problem when the "unique needs of the state" include pandering to an electorate that believes the earth was created 6000 years ago, any you want to teach their kids science. :lol:
I never understood the local control of schools thing. I mean, 2+2 = 4 is true in Missouri and California and Mississippi.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 14, 2012, 05:11:09 PM
Quote from: Malthus on November 14, 2012, 01:46:07 PM
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 14, 2012, 12:54:57 PM
Quote from: CountDeMoney on November 14, 2012, 12:49:45 PM
Sure there is; federalize it.
Not sure that makes sense either. In the Canadian context it wouldnt work. Provinces are better suited for running the education system and to reflect the needs of their province.
That becomes a problem when the "unique needs of the state" include pandering to an electorate that believes the earth was created 6000 years ago, any you want to teach their kids science. :lol:
I never understood the local control of schools thing. I mean, 2+2 = 4 is true in Missouri and California and Mississippi.
And if that is all that is taught then yes, it would be a good idea.
Okay, then what fact is true in Missouri that is not true in California.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 14, 2012, 06:14:24 PM
Okay, then what fact is true in Missouri that is not true in California.
For starters one might wish to have different emphasis on the history geography which is taught in different regions. That is certainly true here. While there is a national history which is taught I am pretty sure that kids in Sydney Nova Scotia didnt spend as much time on the exploits of Simon Fraser as I did in elementary school as an example.
That's not really an answer to my question, and certainly the Department of Education can say that schools should devote time to local history.
People in New York and California evolved, people in Kansas and Tennessee didn't.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 14, 2012, 06:46:06 PM
That's not really an answer to my question, and certainly the Department of Education can say that schools should devote time to local history.
If a federal department of education is going to devolve responsibility for local curiculum to local bodies then what is the point of having a federal department of education?
Quote from: Valmy on November 14, 2012, 12:03:44 PM
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/budding-scientist/2012/02/01/u-s-state-science-standards-are-mediocre-to-awful/
I'm surprised RI is so low, I thought our science curriculum was quite thorough, but that was more than a decade ago now, and it was a middle class town, so maybe it's changed or it wasn't reflective of all schools at the time.
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 14, 2012, 01:32:21 PM
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
Why in God's name did we ever give you traitorous pieces of shit the vote back.
Quote from: Queequeg on November 14, 2012, 09:40:41 PM
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 14, 2012, 01:32:21 PM
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
Why in God's name did we ever give you traitorous pieces of shit the vote back.
Is it any worse than giving corrupt thieves like yourself the vote?
Too bad we don't have a sanity test as a prerequisite for voting or Sqquellus and Lettow would both be disenfranchised. :P
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on November 14, 2012, 10:39:04 PM
Too bad we don't have a sanity test as a prerequisite for voting or Sqquellus and Lettow would both be disenfranchised. :P
:yes:
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 14, 2012, 07:09:16 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 14, 2012, 06:46:06 PM
That's not really an answer to my question, and certainly the Department of Education can say that schools should devote time to local history.
If a federal department of education is going to devolve responsibility for local curiculum to local bodies then what is the point of having a federal department of education?
It doesn't have to devolve responsibility in all areas. By having a federal department of you can have a set of uniform standards and criteria. All students of Grade x must be able to read or make sure that teachers aren't telling the kids to shove forks in their eyes or something. It also can monitor resources better and be able to shift resources to where they are needed most. Finally it can be used to prevent states from going back to segregation.
Still, you haven't answered my question: What facts are true in Missouri that aren't true in California?
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on November 14, 2012, 10:39:04 PM
Too bad we don't have a sanity test as a prerequisite for voting or Sqquellus and Lettow would both be disenfranchised. :P
Wouldn't that disqualify you as well?
The languish "no, assuredly it is -you- who is insane!" circlejerk is wearisome. I couldn't even get as far as an octave before I lost interest in the theme.
It's such an empty discussion, as the true stalwart of the disordered amongst us, who loved lizard-women and planned to migrate to Malaysia to seek his fortune, is forever gone. That fine Finn cannot be adequately replaced.
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 15, 2012, 05:44:49 AM
The languish "no, assuredly it is -you- who is insane!" circlejerk is wearisome. I couldn't even get as far as an octave before I lost interest in the theme.
It's such an empty discussion, as the true stalwart of the disordered amongst us, who loved lizard-women and planned to migrate to Malaysia to seek his fortune, is forever gone. That fine Finn cannot be adequately replaced.
I miss him! :cry:
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 14, 2012, 01:32:21 PM
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
So we now know why you are a cretin who will never amount to anything?
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 15, 2012, 05:44:49 AM
It's such an empty discussion, as the true stalwart of the disordered amongst us, who loved lizard-women and planned to migrate to Malaysia to seek his fortune, is forever gone.
He's dead? :huh:
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 03:46:19 AM
Quote from: Peter Wiggin on November 14, 2012, 10:39:04 PM
Too bad we don't have a sanity test as a prerequisite for voting or Sqquellus and Lettow would both be disenfranchised. :P
Wouldn't that disqualify you as well?
Doubtful, but a small price to pay if so. I already don't vote. :P
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 03:45:55 AM
Still, you haven't answered my question: What facts are true in Missouri that aren't true in California?
Education isn't, or shouldn't be, just about facts.
Quote from: Maximus on November 15, 2012, 11:35:49 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 03:45:55 AM
Still, you haven't answered my question: What facts are true in Missouri that aren't true in California?
Education isn't, or shouldn't be, just about facts.
Ah, so Creationism then?
Quote from: Valmy on November 14, 2012, 04:46:20 PM
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on November 14, 2012, 03:00:38 PM
Hey! Mississippi got a C!
Another oddity is whenever US education is discussed South Carolina is always way at the top. Who knew?
The proof is that many people who grow up in South Carolina get the fuck out as quickly as possible.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 11:46:15 AM
Quote from: Maximus on November 15, 2012, 11:35:49 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 03:45:55 AM
Still, you haven't answered my question: What facts are true in Missouri that aren't true in California?
Education isn't, or shouldn't be, just about facts.
Ah, so Creationism then?
No, making schooling just about a rote memorization of facts is a 19th century view of education.
Quote from: Maladict on November 15, 2012, 08:06:49 AM
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 15, 2012, 05:44:49 AM
It's such an empty discussion, as the true stalwart of the disordered amongst us, who loved lizard-women and planned to migrate to Malaysia to seek his fortune, is forever gone.
He's dead? :huh:
Wait, is he? :unsure:
I thought he was just banned or left.
Don't think he was banned, I think he just left.
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 11:46:15 AM
Quote from: Maximus on November 15, 2012, 11:35:49 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 03:45:55 AM
Still, you haven't answered my question: What facts are true in Missouri that aren't true in California?
Education isn't, or shouldn't be, just about facts.
Ah, so Creationism then?
He didn't say it was about bullshit.
But obviously, when you get in the realm of social sciences, it's often more a matter of opinion than a matter of hard facts.
Is democracy the best of system? There are arguments in favor, arguments again. Is a gay man only evil when he votes Democrat? It's debetable ;) :P
Stuff like that, outside the realm of hard science is not always about facts. It's a matter of how you would interpret the facts, not just memorizing what you're told.
When you teach about morals or ethics, it's not really about facts either.
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 15, 2012, 05:44:49 AM
The languish "no, assuredly it is -you- who is insane!" circlejerk is wearisome. I couldn't even get as far as an octave before I lost interest in the theme.
It's such an empty discussion, as the true stalwart of the disordered amongst us, who loved lizard-women and planned to migrate to Malaysia to seek his fortune, is forever gone. That fine Finn cannot be adequately replaced.
Dude, this forum has enough nuts to make a pie.
Mmmmmmm....pie.
So glad it is less than a week from Thanksgiving. :mmm:
Quote from: viper37 on November 15, 2012, 11:25:50 PM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 11:46:15 AM
Quote from: Maximus on November 15, 2012, 11:35:49 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on November 15, 2012, 03:45:55 AM
Still, you haven't answered my question: What facts are true in Missouri that aren't true in California?
Education isn't, or shouldn't be, just about facts.
Ah, so Creationism then?
He didn't say it was about bullshit.
But obviously, when you get in the realm of social sciences, it's often more a matter of opinion than a matter of hard facts.
Is democracy the best of system? There are arguments in favor, arguments again. Is a gay man only evil when he votes Democrat? It's debetable ;) :P
Stuff like that, outside the realm of hard science is not always about facts. It's a matter of how you would interpret the facts, not just memorizing what you're told.
When you teach about morals or ethics, it's not really about facts either.
Ah, so you are fine so long as you are willing to discuss it. If you decide that it's "bullshit", then there's a problem? Here's the secret, creationism is one of the driving forces behind efforts to abolish the Department of Education.
Quote from: Lettow77 on November 14, 2012, 01:32:21 PM
When I was in high school there was an obese woman who tried to teach evolution, and all the students complained. She got a stern talking to from the principal, and that was that. :)
How did she lose the weight?
I wonder! I don't remember her name, but I remember she terrorized our poor nazi-sympathizing german exchange student, and I as well; For my part, I refused to write "crayfish" in a biology section because it was the foul terminology of yankeedom, and insisted on crawdad. In the spirit of reason and temperance I offered to make it crawfish, but she wouldn't hear of it. And the nazi from saxony she penalized when he wrote his numbers with periods- I think it was something like 1.000 for 1,000. His name was valentine, and he got particular if you pronounced it the way it was obviously supposed to be pronounced. I recall that, before he left, he agreed to speak favourably about the Confederacy forever afterward in his native country.
Such youthful idealism! I think I got a C in that class :blush: