Funding, teacher training top educators’ wish lists for science education in 2018

January 11, 2018

This year may prove to be a pivotal time for science education in California, as schools enter the final stages of introducing the Next Generation Science Standards — the new K-12 science standards — and prepare for the first fully operational standardized tests in early 2019. We asked science educators and leaders what they’d like to see happen in 2018 in the world of science education.

Jill Grace, president of the California Science Teachers Association:

Here are a few things we’ve been simmering on as a state with respect to science and the Next Generation Science Standards:

First, we need dedicated support (and funding) to support high-quality professional learning for teachers to help support their growth, understanding and ability to implement the full vision NGSS. This would include moving forward with processes for districts to review and pilot instructional materials. In line with that, we need materials that meet this vision. For all of this to be successful, administrators need support and training to be able to help their teachers and move implementation forward.

Education Trust — West, a nonprofit that advocates for educational equity:

Here’s our wish list for science education in 2018:

Vince Stewart, director of the STEM Network at Children Now:

I’d like to see California realize the vision outlined in Superintendent Tom Torlakson’s STEM Task Force Report from 2014 and answer its call to action to implement fully integrated, high-quality STEM teaching and learning for all kids. California’s adoption of the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards were significant steps forward, but they’re not nearly enough. We must do more, and invest more, to address the uneven and inequitable access to STEM education that contributes to the persistent achievement gap, especially among African-American and Latino students, and particularly in math and science proficiency.

And here’s my wish list in no particular order of priority:

Trish Williams, member of the State Board of Education and member of the board’s Next Generation Science Standards and computer science committees:

Strengthening California’s K-12 science and computer science is critical to the state’s economy and workforce, and is also an important equity and social mobility opportunity for our state’s students. Gov. Brown, the Legislature, the State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction have taken important initial steps to update California’s science standards and to create new, first-ever computer science standards. I’ve been honored to be a part of this important work.

But much more momentum and long-term support for teachers and students will be needed. Looking further ahead, my wish for 2018 is that candidates for Governor and for Superintendent of Public Instruction will declare that effective statewide implementation of Next Generation Science Standards and computer science standards — with a goal of making California tops nationally and internationally in both fields — will be among their highest K-12 education priorities for dedicated funding, leadership, and other resources.

Laurie Scheibner, elementary science teacher in Tahoe-Truckee Unified:

Here’s a start:

Staff of the National Center for Science Education, a nonprofit that works to protect science education from ideological interference:

From Ann Reid, executive director:

I wish for all teachers to have access to the professional development they need to teach climate change confidently and accurately; our survey found that more than 67 percent of middle and high school science teachers want and would benefit from such professional development.

While I’m at it, I’d like science teachers to have the resources they need to provide state of the art inquiry-based learning, including laboratory equipment and supplies, data analysis tools, field trip expenses, and professional development, especially as they implement the Next Generation Science Standards.

From Brad Hoge, director of teacher support:

My two cents:

I would like to see more chemistry and physics teachers teach about climate change.

I would like to see more hands-on lessons using local data developed for place-based learning, especially around extreme weather events.

I would like to see more project-based learning used for science lessons in general, in response to the Next Generation Science Standards framework.

I would like to see more evolution topics taught in elementary and middle school.

And I would love to live in a world where teaching evolution and climate change is expected and welcomed!

Karen Cowe, chief executive of Ten Strands, an environmental education nonprofit:

I’d like to see environmental literacy plans that support Next Generation Science Standards implementation for the majority of California districts, so that every district has the capacity to:

Okay, maybe this won’t happen in 2018 but over time would be good!

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