Experts tout new science standards
The new Next Generation Science Standards proposed for use in kindergarten through 12th grade are a way to continue the scientific innovation and economic growth that are hallmarks of the nation, a chief advocate for the revised standards said.
S. James Gates Jr., a University of Maryland physics professor and a member of the President's Council of Advisers of Science and Technology, said jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM fields, produce knowledge, products and wealth.
But there is a need for about 1 million more workers in STEM-related jobs, Gates told members of the Arkansas Board of Education and others at a Clinton School of Public Service address last week.
The new science education standards are an attempt to fill those jobs and ensure that the door to the American Dream "is open for our students," Gates said.
Arkansas was one of 26 states to work with national organizations to write and rewrite new science standards. The Arkansas Education Board in April endorsed the use of the new standards as a guide for updating the state's existing science standards.
"We'll bring to our state board this spring the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade standards," said Michele Snyder, a science curriculum specialist for the state Department of Education. "The standards were already specific for each of kindergarten through fifth grades, but they were not specific to grades six, seven and eight, and they are not specific to high school courses. That's the work our committees are involved with right now."
Snyder said the new standards are different from what is in place now.
"Research says kids learn best by doing science and by being engaged in scientific phenomena," she said. "These standards are very hands-on. There are performance expectations. Every standard you read says, 'Use models,' 'Ask questions,' and 'Conduct investigations.' It's all doing, doing, doing. Our current science standards say, 'List the steps of mitosis.' It's very static."
If approved, the revised standards will be implemented into kindergarten through fourth grades in 2016-17 and into the other grades in subsequent years, Snyder said. Training is underway for teachers, as are efforts to develop state tests or assessments based on the new standards.
New office bears employee's name
Teach For America-Arkansas has opened a regional office and community center in Helena-West Helena that is named for Bessie Hunt, the organization's longest-serving employee.
Hunt has worked as the local office manager since 1992 for the organization, which trains and places recent college graduates in teaching jobs in the nation's high-need rural and urban centers. Teacher corps members commit to work in classrooms for two years.
The Hunt Education Center, at 105 Missouri St. in the Cherry Street Historic District, will serve as a meeting place and resource hub for area educators, including Teach For America teachers and staff. The office is also available as a community space, according to a news release from the organization.
This year, 190 Teach For America corps members are serving more than 16,000 students in Arkansas public schools. Jared Henderson is executive director of Teach For America-Arkansas.
District's election map under review
The Community Advisory Board for the Pulaski County Special School District will meet Monday to recommend boundary revisions to existing school board election zones.
The board, which acts as an advisory group to Arkansas Education Commissioner Tony Wood, will convene at 6:30 p.m. at the district's administration building, 925 E. Dixon Road.
Revised election zones are necessary as the result of the establishment of a new Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District that is carved out of the Pulaski County Special district. The new district will remain under the control of the Pulaski County Special district until plans for the transition of employees, students, property and other assets are completed. The new district has its own interim school board.
The Pulaski County Special district's advisory board was established after the state took over the financially troubled district and, in 2011, dissolved the locally elected school board. The advisory board members and, eventually, locally elected school board members, will be selected from the revised election zones.
There are three proposed plans for the revised boundary lines. Two of the plans call for seven zones, which would produce seven board members. One plan is for five zones, which would produce five board members or advisory board members.
Metro on 12/14/2014