This page is updated weekly with general information about science, mathematics, and technology education as well as any changes to the Web site. After three months, news items will be moved to the relevant solution page.
2/24/10: Leading Organizations
AAAS held its 2010 Annual Meeting from February 17th through February 22 in San Diego. The theme of the meeting was "Bridging Science and Society" and many of the sessions focused on education and public engagement. As an example, a symposium entitled "Science Literacy: How to Train Teachers, Engage Students, and Maximize Learning", addressed such topics as the failings of STEM textbooks, and preparing science teachers to address controversial issues.
2/17/10: Leading organizations
The National Science Teachers Association is holding its Annual Meeting beginning March 18th. Consider encouraging your science staff and teachers to attend and report back to you!
1/27/10: Where do we stand?
The National Science Board has released its 2010 Science and Engineering Indicators report. This report, published every two years, provides a broad overview of the state of US science and engineering with specific information about specific issues like education. The full report is here and a chapter devoted to K-12 education is here.
1/20/10: SMarT training
With support from the SMarT grant program, the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA) used the SMarT training materials to address questions about science, mathematics, and technology education with four Oklahoma school districts on January 15th. To apply for funding to host training in your state, use this link to contact us. To look at the training materials, click here.
1/13/10: SMT Standards
A report from the President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathmatics on the status of the common standards initiative by the National Governors Association (NGA). While NCTM has helped to improve the standards, an in depth review must still be undertaken.
1/6/10: Teacher Training
President Obama hosted an event to recognize 80 teachers from around the country for excellence in science and mathematics, and to announce the expansion of the "Education to Innovate" public-private partnership to enhance teacher training. See the White House press release here and read more about it here.
12/30/09: technology education
A New York Times article that further explores the importance of computer science to 21st Century job opportunities.
12/16/09: Integrating SMT
An article from Science News that describes and advocates for a more integrated approache to science, mathematics ,and technology education.
12/9/09: Where do we stand?
The results of the mathematics 2009 Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) were released on December 8, 2009 and demonstrate that while many districts scored higher than they did in 2003, few made gains since 2007. Read a summary of the findings here and the full report here.
12/2/09: Technology Education
The US House of Representatives has designated December 6 - 12 as Computer Science Education Week to highlight the importance of computing at all educational levels. See a fact sheet here.
11/18/09: SMarT Training Workshop
AAAS/DoSER sponsored a workshop with the Illions Association of School Boards (IASB) to present the SMarT training materials and Web site to state association school board trainers. We are now offering grants of up to $1000 to help school board associations present the materials to board members. For more information click here.
11/11/09: SMT standards
Some states are putting off revising their standards in light of the current push for common national standards. In particular, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania are waiting to see the new standards before embarking on their own efforts. Read an article analyzing the situation in Education Week.
11/4/09: Results of Testing
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) has released The Nation's Report Card: Mathematics 2009. The report tracks the performance of US public school students in 4th and 8th grades in mathematics and finds that it has not improved in most states. Read the executive summary.
10/28/09: Where do we stand?
A panel discussion held by the Wall Street Journal addresses the problems with US math and science education and suggests several solutions.
10/21/09: Mathematics education
A publication from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics recommends that reason and sense-making form the backbone of mathematics education and offers a guide specifically tailored for policymakers.
10/14/09: Where do we stand?
An op-ed in Forbes magazine discusses the implications of the dwindling number of scientists and engineers for innovation in energy production and efficiency.
10/7/09: Attracting teachers
An article in the Chicago Tribune describes the growing prevalence of teachers without traditional education degrees in Indiana and beyond.
9/30/09: SMT and Religion
In 2008 Louisiana passed legislation allowing science teachers to include supplementary materials challenging evolution. Now, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has further undermined science education by permitting a creationist organization to dictate how complaints about these materials will be handled. Read the Louisiana Coalition for Science's press release.
9/23/09: SMT curriculum
An article in Science magazine discusses the strengths of the new, research-based AP biology curriculum released this past July as well as concerns about how it will be implemented. A summary of the article is here. The full text can be accessed here.
9/16/09: Model Programs
Many states and school districts are using federal stimulus money to improve their science, math and technology programs. Read about an Arizona program here and a Massachusetts program here.
9/9/09: Technology education
A report from the National Academy of Engineering and the National Research Council demonstrates that teaching engineering improves student performance in science and mathematics, and develops the skills most likely to be valuable to the 21st century workforce. Read the press release here. The report is available for purchase here.
9/2/09: Training Teachers
An editorial in Science magazine addresses the lack of adequate education and training among many STEM teachers. The article argues that college professors, scientists and other science professionals must take a more active role in both encouraging and preparing students to teach science and supporting them once they begin to do so. Read the abstract here. and the full article here.
8/26/09: The "Urgency Gap"
A new book explores America's ambivalent relationship with science in the context of the widely recognized need for greater science literacy. A review of the book by the Los Angeles Times is here.
8/19/09: SMT and Religion
A new survey suggests that the treatment of evolution in science standards has improved over the last 10 years but that new types creationist language are emerging. The original study is here, and a U.S.News blog post commenting on the work is here.
8/12/09: SMT Textbooks
An article in the New York Times addresses the trend towards using digital textbooks. In California, for example, an initiative is underway to replace high school science and math texts with free, “open source” digital versions.
8/5/09: The Changing Economy
A USA Today article explores the gwowing popularity of "sustainability" degrees. Concern for the environment along with the growing number of "green collar" jobs has increased student demand for degree programs that incorporate science and technology education to address environmental issues.
7/29/09: Assessment
The Harvard Program in Education, Afterschool, and Resiliency (PEAR) has produced a resource to address the evaluation of informal science programming. The website is designed to help districts understand and choose among a variety of online assessment tools to measure learning and outcomes.
7/22/09: Model Programs
A program at the University of Texas at Austin provides research-based online mathematics and science courses for school districts. ASKME™ (Acquire and Self-Regulate Knowledge in a Multimedia Environment) courses are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), aligned with the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Read more about the program here.
7/15/09: SMT literacy and citizenship
A new survey by the Pew Foundation done in collaboration with AAAS explores how the public views science and scientists. A summary of the results is here.