Scientists & Engineers for America

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[edit] Hot Topics in STEM Education

[edit] Evolution

The most recent questions about teaching evolution in science classrooms surface in Texas and Louisiana.

Texas.

April 2009 Many lawmakers are questioning the Texas Board of Education and are frustrated with the recent debates concerning education and science. The board passed a curriculum that allows teachers to use creationalism to object to using evolution as an explanation of the origins of life. It also was worded to allow doubts concerning the big bang theory and global warming. The board vetoed a curriculum that was planned for over three years and chose to accept one that was put together just hours before the meeting. One proposal is to place the power to approve textbooks with either the state education agency, legislative board, or the commisionor of education. ^[1].

March 2009, The Texas Board of education voted to uphold the teaching of evolution as acceptable science. Conservatives on the board succeeded in including measures specific t biology that allow an instructor to “analyze and evaluate the sufficiency or insufficiency of natural selection to explain the complexity of the cell.”^[2] Conservatives also succeeded in weakening language concerning the Big Bang Theory and the expansion of the universe. While some conservatives were pleased with the decisions, those who fought for the teaching of evolution were not. They stated that there would be more debates to come on the issue. ^[3]

The Texas Board of Education recently debated a revision of its science standards. In late January 2009, the board voted to end a 20-year mandate that science teachers discuss the “strengths and weaknesses” of all theories. This language was first introduced into the curriculum standards to appease creationists when the teaching of evolution was first introduced in the late 1980s. ^[4] It has since been invoked by groups who object to evolution being taught to the exclusion of other theories, such as intelligent design. The Board did pass several amendments to the science curriculum that would compel teachers to instruct students about aspects of the fossil record that do not neatly fit with the idea of species gradually changing over time. The final vote on the science standards will not come until March. Texas routinely revises its education standards every 10 years. ^[5]

Louisiana. On June 25, 2008, Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA) signed the Louisiana Science Education Act (SB 733) into law (Act 473). The law allows teachers to supplement existing science curricula with material that “promotes critical thinking skills” to facilitate “an open and objective discussion of scientific theories being studied, included but not limited to evolution, the origins of life, global warning and human cloning.” ^[6] LSEA (SB 733) had been approved in the Senate by a vote of 35-0 and in the House of Representatives by a vote of 94-3. Gov. Jindal, who graduated with honors in biology and public policy from Brown University, signed the act into law despite protests from some of the nation’s leading scientific societies, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Biological Sciences, as well as from his college biology professor. Opponents of LSEA are concerned that this law will encourage the teaching of creationism and intelligent design. Louisiana has a history of creationists trying to bring religion into science class. ^[7] Science educators say the “new wording is intended simply to circumvent rulings by US courts that creationism and intelligent design are unconstitutional religious intrusions into a public school science curriculum.” ^[8] The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, who must approve guidelines for school districts’ use of supplementary materials, has since adopted the policy that “evaluations of supplementary materials shall be made without regard to the religious or non-religious beliefs and affiliations of the authors of supplementary materials.” ^[9]

[edit] Federal Education Initiatives

The main federal education law, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (P. L. 89-10), was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. Originally intended to improve low-income students’ access to education, it outlines federal requirements for United States public schools. Revised every 7 to 10 years, the latest revision of ESEA includes the No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110), which was signed by President George W. Bush in 2002 . ^[10] The act increases federal funding but requires state-mandated learning standards and student achievement assessment. ^[11] Although controversial in its success, this version of ESEA represented the shift in federal education law away from mandating basic educational necessities to concerns of the outcomes of education and the efficacy of programs. ^[12]

ESEA was scheduled to be reauthorized in 2007. However, the next version of ESEA will be revised during the Obama administration. President Obama's Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, did not give specifics on how to rework ESEA during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on January 13, but stressed accountability and rigorous standards. ^[13]

For more information on education, read the full Congressional Research Services (CRS) Report here.

[edit] Trends in Mathematics and Science Study

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is one of the international assessments of 4th and 8th graders' math and science ability. TIMSS is scaled in such a way that scores within a subject and grade are comparable over time.

The results of the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) show that the US is not in the top ten listing of countries for success in math and science education. Americans are under-performing in STEM areas, even compared to less developed countries. ^[14] The 2007 report also presents data on national educational issues

• The difference between the United States and the most out-performing countries, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei, in mathematics is relatively equal to the disparity between US black and US white students.
• There is a greater disparity between US schools within the lowest and highest poverty levels in science performance, than between the US and Singapore, the most out-performing country.
• Although there was no measurable difference between 8th grade males and females in mathematics, males out-performed females in three out of four content areas.
• Overall, US students' scores have increased since TIMSS was first administered in 1995.

According to the 2003 Trends in International Math and Science Study (TIMSS) released by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), eighth graders in the United States ranked fifteenth out of forty-five countries on math test scores.

[edit] Other Reports

The Congressional Research Service report provides an overview of the America COMPETES Act.

The National Science Board published Science and Engineering Indicators 2008 which provides quantitative information on U.S. and international science development.

In February of 2007, the National Governors Association (NGA) released Building a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Agenda, a report that details the three key issues involving STEM education

• Aligning K-12 STEM education with workforce expectations.
• Expanding capacity to improve teaching and learning.
• Identifying and applying best practices.

The May 2007 Report by the Academic Competitiveness Council commissioned by the Department of Education found that only four of the government's 105 federal stem programs have been studied and found to have a "meaningful positive effect."^[15]

For additional information on STEM education issues, check out Rising Above the Gathering Storm from the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.

[edit] Action in Congress

[edit] Introduced Bills

To establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility to coordinate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education activities and programs of all Federal agencies. (H.R. 1709) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall establish a committee under the National Science and Technology Council with the responsibility to coordinate Federal programs and activities in support of STEM education, including at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Education, and all other Federal agencies that have programs and activities in support of STEM education.

Sponsor: Rep. Barton Gordon (D-TN)

Introduced: March 25, 2009

Status: Referred to House Committee on Science and Technology

To increase awareness of the existence of and to overcome gender bias in academic science and engineering through research and training (H.R. 1144) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to develop a policy for federal science agencies to carry out a program of workshops that educate specified federally funded researchers about methods that minimize the effects of gender bias in the evaluation of federal research grants and in the related academic advancement of the recipients of these grants.

Sponsor: Rep. Eddie Johnson (D-TX)

Introduced: February 24, 2009

Status: Referred to subcommittee on research and science education

H.R. 957. Green Energy Education Act of 2009. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to contribute energy research and development funds to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program to support graduate education related to such energy projects.

Sponsor: Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX)

Introduced: February 10, 2009

Status: Referred to Committee on Science and Technology

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to promote the safe use of the Internet by students and for other purposes (H.R. 780) A bill to develop and implement programs to educate students about appropriate on-line behavior, to protect students from on-line predators, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate material, and to promote parental involvement in their children's internet usage

Sponsor: Rep. Adam Putnam (R-FL)

Introduced: January 28, 2009

Status: Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage teachers to pursue teaching science, technology, engineering, and math subjects at elementary and secondary schools. (H.R. 705) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain full-time elementary and secondary school teachers of math, science, engineering, or technology courses a refundable tax credit for 10% of their undergraduate tuition up to $1,000 in any taxable year. Increases such credit amount to $1,500 for teachers in schools serving children with disabilities.

Sponsor: Rep. Vernon Ehlers [R-MI]

Introduced: January 27, 2009

Status: Referred to committee

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve early education (H.R. 702) A bill to provide funds to States to enhance or improve preschool programs.

Sponsor: Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

Introduced: January 27, 2009

Status: Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants for core curriculum development (H.R. 597) A bill to award grants to local educational agencies to strengthen one or more of the following subjects - music and arts, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, history, geography and physical education and health in the elementary and secondary school curriculum.

Sponsor: Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)

Introduced: January 15, 2009

Status: Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor

A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a program to help States expand the education system to include at least 1 year of early education preceding the year a child enters kindergarten (S. 206)

Sponsor: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)

Introduced: January 12, 2009

Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize a connecting education and emerging professions demonstration grant program (S. 178) A bill to create grants for partnerships between business and industry with schools to assess emerging industry demands and the academic knowledge and skills needed to meet those demands

Sponsor: Sen. Russell Feingold (D- WI)

Introduced: January 8, 2009

Status: Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

H.R. 266 Cybersecurity Education Enhancement Act Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Cybersecurity, to establish, in conjunction with the National Science Foundation, a program to award grants to institutions of higher education for

(1) cybersecurity professional development programs;

(2) associate degree programs in cybersecurity; and

(3) the purchase of equipment to provide training in cybersecurity for either professional development or degree programs.

Sponsor:Rep. Sheila Jackson (D-TX)

Introduced: January 7, 2009

Status: Reported to Committee

A bill to expand educational opportunities for all Americans by increasing access to high-quality early childhood education and after school programs, advancing reform in elementary and secondary education, strengthening mathematics and science instruction, and ensuring that higher education is more affordable (S.7) Expresses the sense of Congress that it should pass, and the President should sign into law, legislation that expands educational opportunities for all Americans by enhancing

(1) access to high-quality early childhood education, child care, and after school and extended learning services; (2) secondary and post-secondary graduation rates; (3) educational innovation, standards, and assessments; (4) the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers by high-need schools; (5) mathematics and science instruction; and (6) federal grant aid and tax incentives to make higher education more affordable

Sponsor: Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

Introduced: January 6, 2009

Status: Reported by Committee

[edit] News Stories on STEM Education

• Education Secretary Arne Duncan has made several comments about education plans after President Obama’s March 10, 2009 speech on education. He stated that there is a need to start math and sciences courses early on in middle school, rather than late high school. This would allow children to be more familiar with the subject matter and have a chance to take upper level courses, such as calculus, before they graduate. To accomplish this, there should be better compensation for math and science teachers. There is a trend of older workers coming back to teach at schools, such as retirees and people who come out of the military.

Currently, the plan is to choose several states as “guinea pigs” to commit to a national standard and move the country forward from what is learned there. The issue of teaching towards a test was answered by stating that if a student is taught to take a sufficient or “good test,” there will not be an issue with the education that he or she receives. Community colleges are going to be geared towards green jobs, as well as jobs in the health and technology fields. ^[16]

• Days after taking office, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, held a conference call with all 50 of the State Superintendents. During the call, Duncan explained how the economic stimulus plan would benefit education and emphasized building relationships with community colleges. ^[17]

• On January 31, 2008, the Chronicle of Higher Education released two articles on the importance of community colleges^[18] to the U.S. economy and the increased rivalry^[19] between the United States and Asia as the top study abroad destination for students.

[edit] Endnotes

1. ↑ Simon, Stephanie. "Education Board in Texas Faces Curbs." The Wall Street Journal 13 Apr. 2009. 20 Apr. 2009 <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123958070369412153.html>.
2. ↑ Brick, Michael. "Defeat and Some Success for Texas Evolution Foes." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia 26 Mar. 2009. Education. 2 Apr. 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/education/27texas.html?ref=todayspaper>.
3. ↑ Brick, Michael. "Defeat and Some Success for Texas Evolution Foes." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia 26 Mar. 2009. Education. 2 Apr. 2009 <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/27/education/27texas.html?ref=todayspaper>.
4. ↑ Laura Beil. "Opponents of Evolution are Adopting a New Strategy." "The New York Times." June 4, 2008. [1]
5. ↑ James C. McKinley, Jr. "Split Outcome in Texas Battle On Teaching of Evolution." "The New York Times." January 24, 2009. [2]
6. ↑ Fayana Richards. "Louisiana Opens School Door for Opponents of Evolution." "Science." June 20 2008, p. 1572.
7. ↑ “Louisiana Coalition for Science. Louisiana Open for Business- Creationists Welcome.” [3]
8. ↑ Fayana Richards. "Louisiana Opens School Door for Opponents of Evolution." "Science." June 20 2008, p. 1572.
9. ↑ “Louisiana Coalition for Science. Louisiana Open for Business- Creationists Welcome.” [4]
10. ↑ "NCLB: The Sequel." National Education Association. http://www.nea.org/esea/eseabasics.html
11. ↑ "Public Law print of P.L. 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001." U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html.
12. ↑ "Bush Calls for Resolve on NCLB Renewal." Education Week. January 8, 2009. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/01/08/18nclb.h28.html?r=658610551
13. ↑ "Nothing but Praise for Duncan in Senate Hearing." Education Week. January 13, 2009. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/01/13/18duncan.h28.html?qs=duncan
14. ↑ Alan I. Leshner. "A wake-up call for science education." Boston Globe. January 12, 2009. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/01/12/a_wake_up_call_for_science_education/
15. ↑ Cavanagh, Sean. Federal Projects' Impacts on STEM Remain Unclear. Education Week. March 27, 2008. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/03/27/30stemfed.h27.html
16. ↑ Golden, Melissa. "The Obama Education Plan: Math, Science, and Rigor." Business Week 12 Mar. 2009. 16 Mar. 2009 <http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/09_12/b4124022647993.htm?chan=magazine+channel_news>
17. ↑ "Superintendents Talk with Fed. Education Sec." Education Week. January 30, 2009. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/01/30/232208ndsansteadduncan_ap.html
18. ↑ Community Colleges Are Key to Shoring Up the U.S. Economy, Report Says. Jan. 31, 2008. http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=xfqschr6ptCysCkQhxmvrNqnjrcSbsGx
19. ↑ U.S. Faces Emerging Rivals in Foreign-Student Market, Study Finds. Jan.31, 2008. http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=VZKYkWtsfKSc6NwG3cqcxwwcNBmrdwrX