National Science Resources Center: Science Education Reform

Formed in 1985 by the Smithsonian Institution and National Academies, the National Science Resources Center's mission is to improve the learning and teaching of science in the United States and throughout the world. The NSRC is committed to reforming science education and sustaining effective education practices and believes that the only way to improve science education is to change the system in which it is taught.

Resources are available through three integrated centers: the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) Center, the Professional Development Center, and the Curriculum Development Center. NSRC is known for its development of the Science and Technology for Children and Science and Technology Concepts for Middle Schools science curriculum.   They have also just published children's science books for 4th to 6th grades.

Of particular interest to NASSMC coalitions is the LASER Center. LASER programs and services are available in four categories that increase in time commitment, resources and complexity:

• Building Awareness for Reform
• Initiating Reform
• Implementing and Institutionalizing Reform
• Developing Leadership Capacity for Reform

AMSTEC, NASSMC's affiliate in Alabama, has been involved with NSRC for some time. NASSMC is currently in discussion with the National Science Resources Center exploring collaborative efforts in support of NASSMC member coalitions. Consider using these resources in your state to augment your efforts to improve science education and as a model for reform in other areas.  

State Education Summits Update

NASSMC is working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education, NASA and other organizations to develop a plan enabling NASSMC's member coalitions to initiate and conduct statewide science and mathematics summits. This initiative is a follow-up to the March 2004 Secretary's Science Summit and is an outgrowth of NASSMC's continuing collaboration with Department of Education's Mathematics and Science Initiative (MSI).

While each of the state summits will have an agenda focusing on the needs of the communities where they are being held, the national MSI agenda will provide guidance to summit planners. Specific state summit goals are to:

• Bring together a broad range of stakeholders in education, business, and state government.
• Address pressing state level concerns and catalyze new programs, collaborations, and reforms in K-12 STEM education.
• Focus on the needs of communities.
• Foster a grassroots dialogue to address the need for better research into what works in education.
• Take the message promoted by the MSI to the state level.
• Foster a grassroots dialogue to engage our nation's citizens about the importance of STEM education.

At the link below, you can access and download a PDF version of the draft state summits concept paper. Details are still being worked out and funding is not finalized, but the U.S. Department of Education has formed a subcommittee to secure necessary funding and support from other federal agencies.

Thanks to all of the coalitions who responded to our inquiry in May and expressed interest in participating in the summits. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Click here to download a PDF of the draft: www.nassmc.org/pdfs/summit_draft.pdf (~45k)

Kentucky Teacher Survey of Critical Technologies

On July 28, KSTC Executive Vice President Joanne Lang met with NASSMC, NSTA and NASA to discuss the results of the "Kentucky Survey of Critical Technologies," a study conducted by Horizon Research International dealing with the depth of knowledge and understanding that Kentucky science teachers possess concerning critical technologies and concepts that are forming the basis for much of the advances in science and technology, as well as new job creation.

NASSMC, through the NASA Linking Leaders Program, is lending support to the development of the response to this study.

The Importance of Business and Education Partnerships: A United States Chamber of Commerce Interview with Secretary of Education Rod Paige

The United States Chamber of Commerce has posted an interview with Secretary of Education Rod Paige on its Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) website. Paige discusses the role of business in education, his thoughts on the future of education in the U.S. and the No Child Left Behind Act.

Posted with the interview is an article following up on the 2004 CCC Partnership Conference: Business & K-12 Education Partnerships at which NASSMC was one of the participants. The CCC plans to release a full conference report detailing additional findings and recommendations in the fall.

Read the interview with Paige and the follow-up article on the conference: www.uschamber.com/ccc/news/newsletter/0407featuresection

Read more about NASSMC's participation in this event: www.nassmc.org/bulletin/may04bulletin.html

Learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: www.uschamber.com

CCSSO Report Available: State Indicators of Science and Mathematics Education 2003

In cooperation with the state departments of education, federal agencies, and professional organizations, the Council of Chief State Schools Officers (CCSSO) has developed a system of state indicators of the quality of science and mathematics education in public schools. The present report on trends in science and mathematics education as of 2003 provides information aboaut state rankings and comparisons and is the seventh in a series of biennial reports on state and national indicators. The reports are intended for use by policymakers, educators and researchers.

You can either purchase a printed and bound copy or download a free PDF from CCSSO at www.ccsso.org/publications/details.cfm?PublicationID=235 (~2.5Mb)

Homeland Security Education Act: Possible Funding for Mathematics and Science Education

The Homeland Security Education Act (S. 2299), introduced by Senators Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Daniel K. Akaka of Hawaii, authorizes investment grants in K-12 mathematics and science programs and encourages students to enter these fields of study during their undergraduate careers. The potential $75 million will go toward establishment of competitive grants for partnerships between K-12 school districts and private entities to help schools improve curriculum, upgrade laboratory facilities and purchase scientific equipment.

To read the bill in its entirety, go to www.senate.gov and search for "S.2299" in the "Legislation & Records" section of the site.

The act also establishes foreign language partnerships between K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.