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> February 26, 1999:
Hour Two: Science Education Reform
What do students need to know, and when do they need to know it?
| In 1990, President Bush and a summit of state governors announced a lofty goal. By the year 2000, they said, US students would be "first in the world in mathematics and science achievement." But nine years later, the U.S. seems to be falling far short of reaching that goal. One study, the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), classified U.S. fourth graders near the top internationally in math and science achievement. However, eighth graders were only about average, and twelfth graders were at the bottom of the barrel, ranking only above Cyprus and South Africa.
|  | So what can educators and parents do about it? Some people are looking at ways to revise the order of classes, shifting from the usual biology, chemistry, physics sequence to one that begins with principles of physics, then moves to chemistry, then proceeds to biology. Proponents of this plan claim that the revision will give students a firmer foundation in the sciences, and make learning less fragmented.
But others doubt that simple changes in class order will make much difference. They say that taking a much closer look at the specific concepts that students need to know, and then figuring out the best context in which to teach them, will provide a better foundation for science learning. Identifying specific goals for education, and then looking at ways to support and reach those goals, should be the focus of reform efforts, these educators say.
What do you think? Are students being taught what they need to know? How much should they be expected to know? And what changes need to be made in order to get there? All that plus your questions, on this hour of Science Friday.
Listeners respond to this program
Guests:
Leon Lederman
Nobel Laureate, Physics, 1988
Director Emeritus, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Pritzker Professor of Science
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
Jo Ellen Roseman
Curriculum Director
Project 2061
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Washington, DC
Erma Anderson
Project Manager, Teacher Center
National Science Teachers Association
Arlington, MD
Books/Articles Discussed:
Want that list of good math textbooks? Look on the Project 2061 web site!
Related Links:
National Education Goals
National Science Teachers Association
Project 2061
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Project ARISE
TIMSS study analysis from US Dept. of Education
CEO Forum on Education and Technology
This segment produced by:
Charles Bergquist
Web producer:
Charles Bergquist
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