Monthly Archives: January 2011

Policy-makers concerned about the impact that Florida’s new high school graduation requirements in math and science will have on the state’s graduation rate inserted a clause into SB 4 requiring OPPAGA, the legislature’s research office, to report on states where … Continue reading →

I’ve gotten several comments – both positive and negative – on my quote published in last week’s St. Pete Times article on the NAEP Science results, We’re bringing in all these fancy biotech companies, and we’re importing these scientists and … Continue reading →

What would a response to President Obama’s call for 100,000 new STEM teachers over the next ten years mean for the American physics community? Let’s say that half of those STEM teachers are science teachers.  That’s 50,000 over the next … Continue reading →

Gradebook reports that Senate PreK-12 Chair Stephen Wise is much less than enthusiastic about a bill filed in the House by Rep. Kelli Stargel that would require some elementary teachers to grade parents.  In fact, WAY less than enthusiastic: “I’m … Continue reading →

I mentioned earlier that physicists love graphs that clearly answer a difficult question. Here’s another: This one is courtesy of Dr. Ted Hodapp, the Director for Education and Diversity at the American Physical Society.  It illustrates data we’ve discussed here … Continue reading →

Who’s going to be bold and make sure there’s not a single out-of-field science teacher in Florida within three years? And line up business partners to pony up the beakers and microscopes when classrooms get whacked by budget cuts? Gov. … Continue reading →

As a physicist, I enjoy seeing an answer to a difficult question leap off a graph. When I look at the graph of how Florida’s NAEP performance at the proficient level compares to that of the nation (reproduced above from … Continue reading →

The scores are “just not good enough for Florida,” said Steven Birnholz, vice president for research at the Florida Council of 100, a group of influential business leaders. “The world is moving on, and we have a choice: We can … Continue reading →

The figure compares Florida’s performance on the 2009 reading, math and science NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) tests to that of the nation.  The y-axis is the difference between the % proficient in Florida and the nation.  If the … Continue reading →

Coverage from: St. Pete Times Orlando Sentinel