The rhetoric

In his April speech to the National Academy of Sciences Mr. Obama made special note of the importance of science educators. He said in part:

" — for we know that the nation that out-educates us today will out-compete us tomorrow. And I don’t intend to have us out-educated. We can’t start soon enough. We know that the quality of math and science teachers is the most influential single factor in determining whether a student will succeed or fail in these subjects..."

Mr. Turner & the Rocket Launch

Here in Chester County, Pa, we have been very lucky to have a fantastic science teacher, Mr Turner. Every Friday, my 2nd grader excitedly reports on his science class that day. Over the past 2 years he's listened to his heart, made a pet rock, examined ostrich, emu, and chicken eggs, made a windmill, made craters, taken hikes and even traveled back in time.

Every year, I hear about the annual rocket launch for weeks in advance. My son can't wait until 5th grade, so he can set off his own personalized rocket and make a space suit.

In a time when we hear so much about the need for our kids to excell in the sciences, I was happy that my child has had the opportunity to attend a school that makes him excited about learning and curious about the world around him. And, I took it for granted.

Teachers Out, Kits In

Then in March, parents first learned that the school board was considering eliminating the science teacher position. It took weeks to find out why, or any details of their new plan. After sitting in on several board meetings, its still not clear. We hear its not about money, but quality.

It seems that after 2 years of study, the school board wants to replace Mr. Turner with science "kits" taught by regular homeroom teachers.

We have been told that these teachers will receive extra training. We have been assured that these kits align perfectly with the state curriculum requirements. (Presumably they are trying to improve our test scores, even though kids at our school performed 91% proficient in science -- 10pts higher than other content areas like reading and math.)

We have been told about the board’s goal to integrate science into the rest of the curriculum, (although our kids already write about experiments, perform calculations and write poems in science class.)

And since we have the only elementary science teacher in the district, there is also the issue of parity.

Stats from the PA Dep't of Ed website:
4th Graders @ East Goshen: 91% proficient/advanced in science
4th Graders @ n PA : 81%
By the time kids in PA reach 11th grade, the number drops to 36%

While I commend the thoughtfulness involved in trying to improve the curriculum, like many parents I find it impossible to understand how replacing our science teacher with a kit will benefit our children.

Don’t we want teachers who are passionate and involved in their subject area? Will classroom teachers already stressed to meet basic requirements be able to bring the same level of experience and engagement as Mr. Turner? Will  their classrooms have a weather station? Will they sponser a rocket launch? Will they dress up as an experiment gone wrong for Halloween?  Will they have the passion to inspire our children?

Don’t children deserve the opportunity to leave their regular classroom and experience hands-on learning, in a world filled with animal bones, or clay, or music.  Can you really give them that experience of seeing the world from scientific, or creative perspective from a kit or box?

The reality

My point here is: if you care about education, by all means get inspired by political rhetoric from Washington. ( I hope that all of those promises materialize.) But more importantly pay attention to what's going on locally.

Next week despite the protests of parents, letters to the school board, and testimonials by students, we may lose our dedicated and inspiring elementary science teacher. See Article: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2009/05/10/news/srv0000005305000.txt

(In our case, the school board had been planning these unproven "improvements" for 2 years, but only informed parents 2 months ago!)

I will be attending more meetings to decide this issue next week, but I wish I had not taken what we had locally for granted this long. ... And money from Washington? No one seems sure when and if that’s coming…

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