Monthly Archives: September 2009

What I’ve Learned From My Students – About Science in Florida High Schools

Posted on September 30, 2009 by Paul Cottle

I learn a lot about the state of science in Florida’s high schools by talking with the students with whom I work both in my capacity as a classroom instructor for majors in engineering and the mathematical and physical sciences … Continue reading →

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Some School Districts Jump Ahead in High School Science – FSU and UF Home Counties Stay Behind

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Paul Cottle

While the minimum high school graduation requirements in science mandated by the State of Florida continue to lag those in neighboring states, several of Florida’s school districts – Brevard, Duval and Monroe – have jumped ahead by requiring four science … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Correct the Bright Futures STEM Disincentive by Setting Different GPA Requirements for STEM Fields, Says Professor Hu

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Paul Cottle

FSU’s Professor Shouping Hu, the higher ed researcher who found that Bright Futures scholarship policies discourage students from majoring in math, science and engineering, has recommended that a change be made in the GPA requirements for renewal to remove this … Continue reading →

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“Florida Today” Calls for Action – Including the Improvement of K-12 Science – in the Face of Shuttle Program Retirement

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Paul Cottle

In today’s edition, the Brevard County daily Florida Today called for “a united front among elected, industry and community leaders from around the state” to “survive the traumatic change coming to NASA.”  The trauma is next year’s retirement of the … Continue reading →

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A Four Science Course Requirement for Bright Futures Eligibility – The Obvious Next Step

Posted on September 24, 2009 by Paul Cottle

The idea of requiring four science courses for Bright Futures eligibility is an obvious next step for high school science policy.  It would address several important issues and should appeal to leaders from a variety of political perspectives.  The response … Continue reading →

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James Madison Institute Director Responds to Democrat Op-ed on Graduation Requirements

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Paul Cottle

I received a thoughtful response to this morning’s op-ed from Robert Sanchez, Policy Director at the James Madison Institute, a Florida-based research and educational organization.  With his permission, I am sharing it here: I read your thoughtful op-ed piece in today’s … Continue reading →

Posted in High School Graduation Standards | Tagged | 3 Comments

Op-Ed on 4 Years of Science, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi in Tallahassee Democrat Today

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Paul Cottle

A piece based on the post advocating four years of high school science was published in the Tallahassee Democrat today. As of now (about 10:00 am) there are two comments posted there.  Both are fascinating.

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Underrepresentation of African-Americans Among Bachelor’s and Doctoral Degree Recipients

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

The figure below illustrates the fractions of bachelor’s and doctoral degree recipients in a variety of areas in 2004 who were African-American.  The data are taken from the National Science Foundation’s Division of Science Resources Statistics.  The fraction of the … Continue reading →

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End-of-Course Exams – Getting the Price Right

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

A comprehensive program of end-of-course (EOC) tests is critical to improving high school science in Florida.  Last spring, the Florida Legislature nearly approved a bill that would have scrapped the 11th grade Science FCAT – which tests students in biology, … Continue reading →

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Florida vs. Massachusetts – Are Great Science Standards Enough to Raise Student Achievement?

Posted on September 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

At last week’s Florida Board of Education meeting, K-12 Chancellor Frances Haithcock and Deputy Chancellor Mary Jane Tappen presented a comparison of the standards and performance of the K-12 systems in Massachusetts and Florida.  One of the items they highlighted … Continue reading →

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