Project 2061: Science Content Standards The Role of Content Standards in U.S. Science Education George E. DeBoer Deputy Director, AAAS Project 2061 2009 Shanghai International Forum on Science Literacy of Pre-college Students Shanghai, China October 16, 2009
Project 2061: Science Content Standards The themes of today’s talk � History of key developments in the U.S. over the past 25 years � New initiatives � Why content standards are important 2
Project 2061: Science Content Standards I. Background: Science education in the US today � The US has fifty states and 50 different educational systems. � Current federal education legislation (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) requires all states to have content standards in math and reading, to assess students’ with respect to those standards each year in grades 3-8 and once in high school, and it requires schools to show improvement in student performance from year to year. � Each state develops and is responsible for its own content standards and assessments. 3
Project 2061: Science Content Standards The Place of Science in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 � In 2007-08, for the first time, states also had to have content standards in science, and they had to assess students with respect to those standards—once in elementary school, once in middle school, and once in high school. � However, the test scores in science do not count in determining if a school is considered a successful school, so many schools pay less attention to science than they do to math and reading, especially in elementary school. 4
Project 2061: Science Content Standards The role of National Standards in Science Education � Although there is no single set of standards that states must follow, each state has made extensive use of two influential national standards documents when writing and revising their state standards. � Benchmarks for Science Literacy , which was published by AAAS Project 2061 in 1993 � National Science Education Standards , which was published by the National Research Council (of the National Academies) in 1996 � These two standards documents have significantly influenced what is now taught in U.S. schools 5
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Why states are not required to follow a set of national standards � Under the U.S. constitution, education is not listed as one of the duties of the federal government, so responsibility for education has been retained by the states ever since the federal government was initially formed. � Most members of the U.S. Congress are reluctant to take the authority for determining the content of the curriculum away from the states. 6
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Current discussions about common core standards � Recently, there have been discussions about having all students in the U.S. learn the same common core of knowledge. � Under proposed plans, this common core would be optional . States would be given financial incentives to use the common core and the assessments based on them, but they would not be required to. � A common core of the most important knowledge and skills is currently being developed in mathematics and English language arts, and a science common core is being discussed. � The common core would be composed of only the most essential ideas in each content area. � States would be allowed to make additions to the common core, but they could not leave anything out. If they chose to participate, they would be responsible for teaching and testing the entire core. 7
Project 2061: Science Content Standards In Summary � The first formal statements of what students should know and be able to do in science in the U.S. were published in 1993 as Benchmarks for Science Literacy and in 1996 as the National Science Education Standards . � During the 1990s, most states used those two documents to guide the writing of their own content standards. � U.S policy makers are currently engaged in discussions about common core standards that states could voluntarily choose to adopt. 8
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Why are content standards important? 9
Project 2061: Science Content Standards A. They reflect the goals and values of a society 10
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Examples of educational goals for a society � To build a society that is science literate—in which citizens understand how the natural and designed world works and appreciate the role of science and technology in society (public understanding of and engagement with science) � To build a skilled technical workforce � To create a culture of discovery and innovation � To enhance the intellectual competence of individuals and provide them with opportunities to pursue their own intellectual interests � To develop individuals whose contributions to society are most consistent with their own capabilities and interests 11
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Public understanding of science as an educational goal 12
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Pew-AAAS survey on the public’s understanding of science � A survey of 2001 adults was conducted between April 28 and May 12, 2009 by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and AAAS on the current understanding of science by the U.S. public and their attitudes toward science. � A survey of 2533 members of AAAS (scientists) was conducted from May 1 to June 14, 2009 13
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Which over-the-counter drug do doctors recommend that people take to help prevent heart attacks? � Antacids � Cortisone � Aspirin (91%) 14
Project 2061: Science Content Standards According to most astronomers, which of the following is no longer considered a planet? � Neptune � Pluto (60%) � Saturn � Mercury 15
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Which of the following may cause a tsunami? � A very warm ocean current � A large school of fish � A melting glacier � An earthquake under the ocean (77%) 16
Project 2061: Science Content Standards The global positioning system, or GPS, relies on which of these to work? � Satellites (82%) � Stars � Magnets � Lasers 17
Project 2061: Science Content Standards What gas do most scientists believe causes temperatures in the atmosphere to rise? � Hydrogen � Helium � Carbon dioxide (65%) � Radon 18
Project 2061: Science Content Standards How are stem cells different from other cells? � They can develop into many different types of cells (52%) � They are found only in bone marrow � They are found only in plants 19
Project 2061: Science Content Standards What have scientists recently discovered on Mars? � Platinum � Plants � Mold � Water (61%) 20
Project 2061: Science Content Standards The continents on which we live have been moving their location for millions of years and will continue to move in the future: � True (76%) � False 21
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Lasers work by focusing sound waves: � True � False (47%) 22
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Antibiotics will kill viruses as well as bacteria: � True � False (54%) 23
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Electrons are smaller than atoms: � True (46%) � False 24
Project 2061: Science Content Standards All radioactivity is man-made: � True � False (63%) 25
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Summary of U.S. Public’s Science Knowledge (Adults 18-65+) 26
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Contemporary questions Percent correct Aspirin is recommended to prevent heart attacks 91 GPS is reliant on satellites 82 Undersea earthquakes can cause tsunamis 77 Carbon dioxide is gas linked to rising temperatures 65 Water was recently discovered on Mars 61 Pluto is no longer a planet 60 Stem cells can develop into many different types of cells 52 27
Project 2061: Science Content Standards “Textbook” questions Percent Correct The continents are/have been shifting 76 Not all radioactivity is man-made 63 Antibiotics do not kill viruses as well as bacteria 54 Lasers do not work by focusing sound waves 47 Electrons are smaller than atoms 46 28
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Differences between scientists and the public on more controversial issues Public Scientists 1. Think that humans and other living things have evolved due to natural processes 32 87 2. Think that the earth is getting warmer because of human activity 49 84 3. Favor the use of animals in scientific research 52 93 4. Favor federal funding for embryonic stem cell research 58 93 5. Favor building more nuclear power plants 51 70 6. Say that all parents should be required to vaccinate their children 69 82 29
Project 2061: Science Content Standards Most of the public thinks that science has had a mostly positive effect on society Mostly positive Mostly Negative Men 85 5 Women 81 8 30
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