Monthly Archives: October 2009

Rigor in High School Science and Math Propels Minorities into STEM Fields

Posted on October 31, 2009 by Holly J. Brown

A recent paper by Dr. Will Tyson of the University of South Florida and others makes a bold statement about the problem of the achievement gap between Caucasian and Minority students.  There are two main revelations I took from his … Continue reading →

Posted in Achievement Gap | Tagged | 1 Comment

Standard High School Science Course Sequence “Out of Order”: National Academy of Education White Paper

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Paul Cottle

A white paper on science and mathematics education reform recently released by the National Academy of Education argues that the standard high school science sequence of biology, chemistry and physics is scientifically “out of order.”  It also says that offering … Continue reading →

Posted in High School Graduation Standards | Tagged | 5 Comments

Will the Commish Grab the Brass Ring? (Part 2) Will High School Graduation Standards Be Addressed Soon?

Posted on October 29, 2009 by Paul Cottle

In an interview with the Miami Herald’s Patricia Mazzei and Kathleen McGrory published this morning, Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith made a tantalizing reference to revising high school graduation requirements.  The story quoted him saying “You can have standards, but … Continue reading →

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Physics and Calculus in High School is the Gateway for STEM Careers: 2007 USF Study

Posted on October 28, 2009 by Paul Cottle

The report on high school graduation standards in science issued by the Florida Senate PreK-12 Committee this month is titled “Review the Effect of State High School Graduation Requirements on Student Preparation for Postsecondary Education and the Workforce.”  While the … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

St. Pete Times Gradebook Features Senate Report Criticism

Posted on October 27, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Jeff Solochek at the St. Petersburg Times education blog Gradebook featured the Senate PreK-12 Committee report on high school science graduation standards and the criticism of the report coming from Florida Citizens for Science blogger Brandon Haught and this blog … Continue reading →

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Physics Teachers in Georgia: Only 88 Highly Qualified in 440 High Schools

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Paul Cottle

A story on The Atlantic Monthly website posted August 12 contains this nugget in an article about using virtual schooling to meet rigorous new educational goals: Georgia, for example, has more than 440 high schools, but only 88 highly qualified … Continue reading →

Posted in National statistics on high school physics | Tagged | 1 Comment

US Secretary of Ed Brings Urgency to Recruiting and Educating Science Teachers

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Paul Cottle

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan emphasized the importance of recruiting and educating more strong science teachers in the coming years during a talk to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) on Friday. About the importance … Continue reading →

Posted in Physics teacher preparation, U.S. Department of Education | Tagged , | 1 Comment

End of Course Testing in North Carolina: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

Posted on October 26, 2009 by Paul Cottle

As we continue to campaign for a comprehensive end-of-course testing program for high school science in Florida, at least one state that had implemented EOC tests in physics and chemistry at the high school level is now throwing in the … Continue reading →

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A Story of PROMiSE

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Paul Cottle

A commenter over at the Florida Citizens for Science blog asked (in response to Brandon Haught’s criticism of the Senate PreK-12 Committee report on high school science graduation requirements) what had ever become of the PROMiSE professional development program.  I … Continue reading →

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PISA 2006: An International Report

Posted on October 23, 2009 by Holly J. Brown

The 2006 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) report [1] published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), analyzes the self-reported interests and opinions of 15 year olds across all of the countries and cities which participated in … Continue reading →

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