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- The Top 12 Science Progress Features of 2008
- Breaking: Physicist John Holdren Is Likely Pick for Science Advisor
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- Want to Work Together? The Impact of Multi-University Collabortion
- “The Single Most Effective Way to Prevent the Transmission of Disease”
- Chu Is Bringing Science Back
- National Research Council: Nanotech Safety Needs a Closer Look. Much Closer.
- Neuroscience Everywhere
- Change for America on Science and Tech Policy, Part 4: The Office of Science and Technology Policy
- CNN Decides It Can Cover Science Without Dedicated Science Reporters
- Stem Cell Recommendations for the New Administration
Coordinating STEM Education At the National Level
The National Science Board released a plan on October 1 for the national coordination of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics education. Despite congressional support for the plan, critics counter that federal coordination could trample local educational autonomy.
This past Wednesday, the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Education held a hearing to address the NSB action plan.
Education policy is typically in the hands of the nation’s 14,000 local school districts, but according to Medill Reports, “concerns about the country’s lagging competitiveness in science education have created bipartisan support in Washington for a national plan.” Dr. Steven Beering, Chairman of the NSB, noted at the hearing that reaching consensus between those thousands of local boards on STEM education would be unimaginable.
Math and science scores for U.S. students are abysmal in comparison to other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries (see Marc Pearl’s column). Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), ranking Republican on the subcommittee, introduced a bill (H.R.325) in May that would implement “rigorous and voluntary American education content standards in mathematics and science” (Via the Chronicle).
The primary recommendation of the NSB report is the creation of a non-federal “National Council for STEM Education” to coordinate education programs through the country. The report also includes the following recommendations:
- The President’s Office of Science and Technology Policy should create a standing Committee on STEM Education within the National Science and Technology Council.
- The Department of Education should create a new Assistant Secretary of Education, who will coordinate that department’s STEM education initiatives with others.
- The NSF should create a national road map for primary, secondary, and collegiate STEM education.
The National Council would then coordinate a massive effort to define coherent STEM curricula, develop metrics to test student learning, strengthen the linkage between K-12 and college science and math education, and increase the number of qualified teachers in STEM classes through professional development and competitive compensation.
For coverage: Medill Reports, Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription), WCFCourier, Education Week.
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