Math and Science Education Reform

UPDATES TO NGSS (NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS)

The Common Core Standards have not yet developed a Science Curriculum. Currently the move by many states is to use the standards of the NGSS which was developed by The National Research Council (NRC), the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science. States are now joining together to form the NGSS Network. The Network held the first NGSS Annual Leadership Meeting for State Teams and National Partners in February 2014. Many states including California and New York are lead state Partners with California currently aligned to the standards and New York State planning to adopt them in January of 2016. The NGSS emphasizes the integration of core Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics content areas (STEM).

NGSS Now Newsletter

Edinformatics has designed a two part science test for end of year 8th grade which contains material necessary to prepare students for higher level science courses. Many of our activities are currently aligned to the NGSS.

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--->EDINFORMATICS SCIENCE CHALLENGE

This two part science test was written by Edinformatics to challenge the very best of our science students. The test can be taken online and graded. There are content pages for each of the questions of part I.

The test has two parts: Part 1- Knowledge and Concepts -- Part 2 - Reasoning and Analysis 

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(NMSI) THE NATIONAL MATH AND SCIENCE INITIATIVE 

"The National Math and Science Initiative was formed to address one of this nation’s greatest economic and intellectual threats - the declining number of students who are prepared to take rigorous college courses in math and science and equipped for careers in those fields. .This crucial project was initiated as a public-private partnership, led by private donors such as Exxon Mobil Corporation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. " read more

Two NMSI-supported programs – the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP) and UTeach – are among the seven programs prominently featured on the Change The Equation website (see below). 

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CHANGE THE EQUATION INITIATIVE

Through its network of more than 110 CEOs, Change the Equation pledges to create widespread literacy in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) as an investment in our nation that empowers us all. 

The goals of Change the equation are three fold:

Great Teaching. Improve STEM teaching at all grade levels, with a larger and more diverse cadre of highly capable and inspirational STEM teachers.
Inspired Learners. Inspire student appreciation and excitement for STEM programs and careers to increase success and achievement in school and opportunities for a collegiate education, especially among females and students of color. 
A Committed Nation. Achieve a sustained commitment to improving STEM education from business leaders, government officials,

Featured Programs for Change the Equation --Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP) --Engineering is Elementary --FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)-- Intel Math --Sally Ride Science Academy-- The Science Career Ladder --UTeach 

See also: “Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education

President Obama Expands “Educate to Innovate” Campaign for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education

2010--In January 2010, President Obama announced the continuance of the program, highlighting the half-billion-dollar financial commitment from the Administration’s partners. Public-private investments of more than $250 million will help prepare over 10,000 new math and science teachers and train over 100,000 existing teachers by 2015. 

2011 Obama: US needs better math, science education 

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(SMTI) SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS TEACHER IMPERATIVE PROGRAM (SMTI)

"...Public university leaders working through the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative will catalyze action across sectors—state and federal governments, the business community, the K-12 community, and others to seriously undertake the challenging effort of adequately preparing teachers to teach science and mathematics in the 21st century.." Read more

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Intel Math and Science Education --"...As part of its $200 million commitment, Intel will provide training to more than 100,000 U.S. math and science teachers over the next 3 years, including an intensive 80-hour professional development math course for elementary school teachers and new Web-based instruction and collaboration tools including targeted professional development for science teachers of all grades..." Read more

TEACH FOR AMERICA

"...Recognizing the urgent need for excellent math and science education in this country, Teach for America launched a campaign in 2004 to bring more outstanding math and science teachers to low-income communities. In the 2009-2010 school year, nearly 2,400 corps members are teaching math and science to more than 150,000 students.." Read more 

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COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY INITIATIVES

California State University-The California State University and Mathematics and Science Teacher Preparation -CSU's Math and Science Teacher Initiative began during the past year through a planning process involving all of its 23 campuses. 

San Diego State University --The San Diego State University Math/Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI) is a collaboration between the College of Education and the College of Sciences to significantly increase single subject credential recommendations in mathematics and science.

University of California --With its California Teach program, the University of California will put a thousand new science and math teachers annually into California classrooms. This initiative will encourage new UC students interested in science, math or engineering to consider teaching as a career and create courses to help them become great teachers-Campuses at: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, UCLA, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. 

University of Texas at Austin -- Uteach -- UTeach started at The University of Texas at Austin in 1997 as a new way to prepare secondary science, math and computer science teachers. Its strength lies in the unique collaboration between the Colleges of Natural Sciences and Education.All students enrolled in the UTeach Natural Sciences Program have the opportunity to participate in a paid internship. read more

Florida PROMiSE is a partnership among the three Florida Public Research - Flagship Universities (USF, FSU, & UF), four large school districts (Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Duval & Seminole), educational consortia (Heartland Educational Consortium (HEC), North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC) & Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC)), Florida Virtual School, and Horizon Research, Inc. 

UNCF Math and Science Teacher Education --This multi-faceted program addresses the math and science teacher shortage in urban communities

ARTICLES AND SITES RELATED TO MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER INITIATIVES

Educate to Innovate”: How the Obama Plan for STEM Education Falls Short -- Excellent review article from the Heritage Foundation for 'Educate to Innovate Program' which gives insight into the many problems that the program still does not address (Jan 5, 2011 publication date) 

National High School Alliance --Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education-- This page provides information on current science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives, programs, curricula, and research. STEM education is an integrative approach to teaching and learning that draws on the foundations of each individual field to form a cohesive course of instruction.

Mid Continent Comprehensive Center -- Links to State Stem Initiatives