Science Education Reform
The entire purpose of educational reform is to improve the learning of the students.
With that in mind, state governments have been and continue to implement programs in their school systems geared towards improving academic performance. Topics under consideration and implementation include lengthening the school day and, in turn, lengthening the school year. This would allow more time for more time for instruction. An important part of educational reform is the reform of teacher education. Nationwide, state school systems are improving the preparation and performance with more meticulous graduation requirements, performance based pay, and “career ladders” that will require the teachers to continue their education (Blosser, 1989). Most of this educational reform blossomed in the 1980’s, a period which is now referred to as the school reform movement. It was during this time that many of the ideas of educational reform came into public view.
Science Teacher Education
Most colleges in the U.S. require science teacher candidates to enroll in a vigorous course of study. There are many more areas of study beyond science necessary in order to adequately prepare the students for the teaching world (National Science Teacher’s Association, 2001). For example, at Towson University science education students must complete special education, psychology, communications, and information technology classes in addition to their core science and general education courses. These additional classes help to better prepare the candidates for what they might encounter in the professional world (www.towson.edu, 2001)
Certification
In the state of Maryland, there are many requirements to receive and hold certification to teach in the state. According to the Maryland State Teacher’s Association, candidates who wish to obtain certification must “possess an earned bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in a discipline appropriate to an assignment in the elementary or secondary school curriculum, receive an average of "B" or better in courses related to area of assignment, submit qualifying scores on teacher certification tests- Praxis I and II (Basic Skills and Content tests only), and complete 135 clock hours of study prior to employment as a resident teacher.” Basically, this means that the candidate must attend a four-year school and graduate with a degree. They have to get a B or better in their science and education courses, pass both Praxis exams, and complete one semester of student teaching.
Back in 2001, before the No Child Left Behind Act was proposed, the United State’s rank in educational performance was 16th. After the act was put into action, that rank moved up to where we now stand at 17th in the nation. Statistics also showed that because of America’s dropping education level, many teachers began to get discouraged in their professions. Although, America has not ever been able to hold the title ...
... past decade has not only affected teachers and valuable elective programs, but mostly importantly the education of today’s youth. The Georgia school districts have exhausted almost every way to make up for the billions of dollars of lost state financial support and they have reached the tipping point. Since over 9,000 teachers have lost their jobs, students are being forced into already bulging classes where they do not receive the kind of individual attention needed in order to boost student achievement. If Georgia leaders expect student achievements to improve, they must invest the necessary economic resources needed to achieve this goal. At the end of the day, one of the most important things in life is a good education, so we need to start putting more money into the K-12 school funding and help build back what years of austerity cuts have nearly destroyed.
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the American educational system has undergone much transition in response to our changing society. Though there have been many problems raised throughout the years in regard to what our school systems should be teaching our children, there have also been many developments.
166-173). Linda Darling-Hammond (2000) discusses how teacher education has changed and how it has affected our education system (p. 166). The author also notes how even the most intelligent people found it hard to prosper in the field without the right skills and preparation (Darling-Hammond, 2000, p. 166-173). In the article, she presents how post baccalaureate programs are carefully structured, versus alternative routes which can be no more than backup employment options. Darling-Hammond (2000) also addresses how it becomes difficult for aspiring teachers to learn both subject matter and pedagogy (p.
Researching the US National Standards of Science Education and the New York State Science Standards gave our group valuable information about any science curriculum in New York State. We searched the Web and the New York State Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology booklet. Conducting an interview with both Ethanie Holl, kindergarten teacher, and Dr. LaChance, professor, were also very helpful.
Education is an integral part of society, school helps children learn social norms as well as teach them how to be successful adults. The school systems in United States, however are failing their students. In the world as a whole, the United States is quickly falling behind other countries in important math and reading scores. The United States ranked thirtieth in math on a global scale and twentieth in literacy. This is even more true in more urban, lower socio-economic areas in the United States. These schools have lower test scores and high dropout rates. In Trenton Central High School West, there was an 83% proficiency in literacy and only 49% of the students were proficient in math. Many of these students come from minority backgrounds and are often from low income families. There are many issues surrounding these urban schools. There is a severe lack of proper funding in these districts, and much of the money they do receive is sanctioned for non-crucial things. Schools also need a certain level of individualization with their students, and in many urban classes, this simply does not happen. While there are many factors affecting the low performance of urban schools, the lack of proper funding and distribution of funds, the cultural divide between teachers and students in urban districts, along with the lack of individualization in urban classrooms are crucial reasons to explain the poor performance in these districts. Through a process of teacher lead budget committees and further teacher education, urban schools can be transformed and be better equipped to prepare their students for the global stage.
As society progresses and new generations surpass previous ones, change is inevitable in each aspect of the world. This change is essential for ideas and systems to prosper and enhance their practicality in an individual’s daily life; however, the education system has lacked this essential reform for hundreds of years. This belief is evident in several reports by official organizations pertaining to education, as indicated by the Center on Policy and Budget priorities, the usage of funds for education has “declined dramatically,” with “little improvement,” in the reform system (Kadamus). This is a major concern for Americans, as in order to foster great leaders and thinkers, the education system must be refined to handle this demand with proper
According to Lashway (1999) educators once saw educational reform as cyclical. Every ten years or so one could expect a public outburst followed by frantic efforts to mend a broken system. However, in the last twenty years there seems to have been a perpetual reform.
Some locations in the United States are trying to improve their education by adding quality teachers. A major reason why there is an achievement gap in education is because there exist a gap in teachers as well. Research has shown that teacher quality counts. Some states are seeking ways to keep quality teachers and ways to attract them. In New York City, the schools will not hire teachers that are not certified. Also, New York and California are adding some sort of incentive in public schools, to attract quality teaching to minority schools. Sometimes school add annual bonus up to $10,000 for qualify teacher to work in public school, with low achieving schools. Also, many state provide some sort of tuition assistance for teacher, but of all of the states only seven target the candidates to commit to the lower achieving schools (Olsen, 2003).
To become a teacher, a person must be substantially educated. In most cases, a Bachelor’s degree is required for the teacher to be employed. The Bachelor’s degree is in the field they plan to teach with a specialty in Secondary Education. Although only a bachelor’s degree is required, a Master in their field or a Doctorate in their field is more employable (High School Teachers). As well as a degree, a teacher
Everyone thinks being a teacher obtains easiest , which it might be, but to get a teaching degree may a lot harder than what it looks like. Starting in high school, child development, computer applications, keyboarding, teacher assisting, public speaking, and psychology embrace important classes to take during your high school career. This would advance someone who took this compared to someone who has no idea about the education and childhood field. Also, job shadowing and internships experience will improve a student’s skills in becoming an elementary teacher. Once someone gets their high school diploma or GED they can now begin college courses. Wright State Lake Campus University contains many early childhood education teachers taking courses like health and gym, art, math, history, field experience, and writing and reading in their first year. Going through college, someone who consist of majoring in early education will get more on the field experience until eventually for a couple of weeks in their last year they will get to teach a class on their own, also known as student teaching. Erica Lusk, a graduate from Wright State Lake Campus Univ...
Becoming a teacher takes more work than one may think. Each state holds extremely different rules in order to obtain a teaching license. When graduating from an education program there is a test that is needed to be taken that is called the praxis. When passing the test a teaching license is then received. Every state is
The state’s new evaluation system was in response to administrators who produced, “superficial and capricious teacher evaluation systems that often don't even directly address the quality of instruction, much less measure students' learning” (Toch, 2008). Too often, the “good-ol-boy” attitude would insure mediocre educators would remain employed. Realizing this was often more the rule then the exception, the governor created educational mandates to focus, “on supporting and training effective teachers to drive student achievement” (Marzano Center, 2013). Initially, they expected the school districts and the teachers would have issues and experience growing pains, but in the end the goal was, “to improve teacher performance, year by year, with a corresponding rise in student achievement” (Marzano Center, 2013).
As you can see the school board handles many issues from budgets, to tenure, to performance scores, to conferences. Although this paper did not cover everything in the meeting, it summarized what took place, and what affects it would have on teachers. The decisions made no matter how big or small can influence how and what task a teacher performs. The school board meeting was interesting because you are able to see how the changes could affect you personally.
Future teachers will all have to reach a certain level of education and certification. Educational requirements can vary greatly depending on the state, but all states require completion of an approved teacher training program and a bachelor’s degree. Many states may require a minimal GPA and additional technology training including, a set number of education and subject credits. A small number of sates necessitate a master’s degree taking up to two years more of schooling than a bachelor’s degree. Other requirements could be student teaching which a lot of colleges offer. Usually for a semester student teachers will work beside an experienced teacher by observing and helping children in ...