|
According to the Nation's Report Card on Science in 2006, barely half
of Florida's eighth graders know science well enough to meet the minimum
science literacy standards found in the National Assessment of Educational
Progress that was given to the students last year. Florida 's eighth graders
lagged behind the national average by six points. There has been no improvement
since the test was last given ten years ago.
According to the 2006 FCAT results, only 32 percent of eighth graders
statewide scored high enough to meet grade level expectations. It was
a little better for Florida's fifth and 11th graders. 35% of them met
grade level expectations.
Science education in Florida has been neglected too long! Science is
too important to our technological future, our economy and our understanding
of the universe to not be given its due. This is not just about producing
enough scientists to remain competitive in the science world. Clearly,
America need science and engineering PhDs to maintain its status as a
leader of technology in the world. However, science literacy means a lot
more than that.
How are our children supposed to understand the science stories
that they read in the news if they are not scientifically literate?
Every day, there are stories in the news about stem cell research,
new planets in our galaxy, new medical therapies that help cure
diseases, evolution and other areas of science. If our children
flip to the next news story because they do not understand the science
behind the previous story, they have missed out on an important
part of understanding their universe.
Also, our children are constantly bombarded with anti-science bias and
pseudoscientific claims. Whether it be UFO mythology or newly discovered
herbs that are guaranteed to provide optimum health, our children need
an understanding of how science is done in order to sift out the legitimate
claims from the bogus claims. The scientific method is not just for scientists.
It can assist all of us in recognizing the questionable claims bombarding
us every day in the mass media.
If we believe that scientific literacy is a must for today's children,
it is time to start talking about the science standards used by the state
of Florida. The science standards guide the development of science curriculum
and help science teachers in the teaching of science in the Florida public
schools. They will be reviewed by the Florida Department of Education
in 2007. We must ensure that these standards truly reflect the best that
science has to offer our school children. Whether they pursue careers
in science or not, we must ensure that our children leave high school
with a understanding of basic scientific principles. Their lives will
be richer as they contemplate our amazing universe with an understanding
that only comes from science.
|
