Monthly Archives: December 2009

FDOE a “17-story beehive of Race to the Top activity”

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Paul Cottle

I may not always agree with the folks at the Florida Department of Education, but I would never call them lazy.  They are serious, hardworking people who care about their missions. Right now, they are all about Florida’s Race to … Continue reading →

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Sally Ride on girls in science, education policy

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Paul Cottle

I recommend this brief piece on former astronaut Sally Ride, who is especially active in promoting science among girls and is involved with President Obama’s effort to promote science and math education. (OK, so it’s not just Elmo promoting President … Continue reading →

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What kinds of jobs can a bachelor’s degree recipient in physics get? What about Governor?

Posted on December 29, 2009 by Paul Cottle

If you’re reading this post, you probably already know that newly minted bachelor’s degree recipients in physics have an average starting salary of $52,000.  The jobs available to new physics bachelors range from engineering to information technology to teaching.  But … Continue reading →

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Do the math: Numbers about science education in Florida (and elsewhere) in 2009

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Paul Cottle

11.5%:  The unemployment rate in Florida at the close of 2009, signaling the structural collapse of the go-go growth-and-tourism economy in the state. 45%:  The fraction of mortgages in Florida that are “underwater,” with the owners owing more than their … Continue reading →

Posted in Achievement Gap, Assessment, Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards, National statistics on high school physics, Teacher professional development, U.S. Department of Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Science education should be considered at Florida jobs summit

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Incoming Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon will host a “Jobs Summit” on January 14 and 15 in Orlando to set an economic agenda for the 2010 session of the Florida Legislature.  The summit will focus … Continue reading →

Posted in Florida Legislature | Tagged | 1 Comment

Sherman Dorn agrees: Commissioner Smith should set a date for science

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

USF Education Professor and blogger Sherman Dorn agrees that Commissioner Smith should set a date for science.  In fact, Professor Dorn goes farther.  He calls for setting a deadline for the revision of science requirements for all high school diploma … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Bright Futures Scholarships, Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Education policy does not move at the speed of light

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Here is an e-mailed dialogue I had today regarding Commissioner Smith’s Tallahassee Democrat op-ed from yesterday, which responded to mine from December 13.  The correspondent is a person who works in a policy-making arm of state government in a staff … Continue reading →

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Dear Commissioner Smith: Set a date for excellence in science education

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Yesterday, Commissioner Smith responded to my December 13 op-ed with one of his own in the Tallahassee Democrat. Like Brandon Haught over at the Florida Citizens for Science blog, I was gratified that the Commissioner took the time to address … Continue reading →

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Florida Science Faculty White Paper on High School Science calls for steps on graduation requirements, Bright Futures eligibility and end-of-course testing

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith published an op-ed in the Tallahassee Democrat yesterday responding to my argument from the week before that while FDOE’s own staff members understand that we are near the national bottom in K-12 science, no branch … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Bright Futures Scholarships, Florida Department of Education, Florida Legislature, High School Graduation Standards, Teacher professional development | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Marrying evolution and climate change denialism: Senator Santorum speaks out

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Paul Cottle

Just as the nation is preparing to frame national K-12 science standards, Pennsylavania’s Senator Rick Santorum publicly marries the twin threats of evolution and climate change denialism in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Of course, ClimateGate has brought this marriage to the … Continue reading →

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