Closing the STEM gap
I filled in for my colleague on the higher ed beat yesterday and covered the STEM symposium at University of Maryland. Chancellor William Kirwan presented some staggering statistics about Maryland's preparation (or lack thereof) of math, science and technology teachers: The state's public schools need 500 a year, yet its colleges and universities are only producing 175, resulting in unqualified teachers filling gaps, often in the poorest schools. At least Kirwan is recognizing the problem and pledging to do something about it, hence the symposium.
It was my first time seeing Arne Duncan live. He didn't say too much that I haven't read about him saying before, but for the sake of putting it on the record here on InsideEd: He wants a longer school day, week and year. He wants to keep the data disaggregation that NCLB requires but stop letting each state develop its own standardized tests. In other words, he wants to standardize the goal but provide more flexibility in how to get there. He kind of reminded me of Dr. Alonso when he said he wants to give states autonomy to reach a uniform goal and hold them accountable for the results. He also said he wants to be judged on the country improving its high school graduation rate and getting more students through college.
Nancy Grasmick was at the symposium. She said Duncan will be bringing states together to develop uniform assessments, and Maryland will be a part of the process. Both Grasmick and Kirwan were very impressed with a program out of the University of Texas called UTeach to recruit math, science and computer teachers and would like to bring some version of it to Maryland.
UPDATE: Alonso e-mailed this Wall Street Journal op-ed by Duncan to city teachers this week.
Categories: Around the Region, NCLB, Teaching, Testing
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Comments
(Did you Know This About BCPSS Academic STEMS priorities?)
Some staggering statistic about Maryland's preparation (or lack thereof) of math, science, technology and engineering teachers.
As a fact. In the sprit of piling on regarding BCPSS preparation (or lack thereof) for Math, Science, Technology and Engineering teachers and engaged external STEMS established operating partnerships implemented to benefit primary/secondary school students male/female and professional development of our science teaches. The BCPSS Office of Health and Science does not even have a director and was just recently
staffed with only one specialist Katya Denisova, PhD National Board Certified Teacher.
Here is a outstanding STEMS program we intervened and forwarded notice to the BCPSS by written communication sent this fall school year (SY2008-2009) months ago to BCPSS Office of Enrichment and the Office of Health and Science and we even got push back returned reponses returned from BCPSS Central Office staff members. See as follows: The J.Hopkins Space Telescope Science Institute JHU/YAE Youth for Astronomy and Engineering Program, forwarded to the BCPSS Office of Health and Science to pursue contact the school system has been ignoring the Space Telescope Science Institute JHU/YAE for several years sent direct contact attempts to the BCPSS central office to join them the Space Telescope Science Institute JHU/YAE and establish for the students and teachers professional development partnerships with the J. Hopkins Space Telescope Science Institute JHU/YAE Youth For Astronomy and Engineering Program.
"You can lead the horse to the water, but you can't make the horse ....."
Posted by: Interested & Engaged Parent of City Schools | April 26, 2009 2:51 PM
Actually...the Office of Health & Science is also staffed by an ElementarySpecialist and a Health Coordinator, neither of whom broadcast their degrees at the rear of their names- despite the fact that they are quite accomplished educators. You are correct that there is no director.
Posted by: Alrighty Then... | April 27, 2009 11:55 AM
@ Post from Alrighty Then...
Request for my info Name/Names of the new two others. Elem Spec/Health Coord in the office of Health & Science.
Posted by: Interested & Engaged Parent of City Schools | April 27, 2009 6:49 PM
I know this will sound sarcastic, but I promise it's not. I honestly love reading I&EP's posts. When I click on InsideEd and see I&EP in the recent comments box, I can't be happier. Sometimes I get to laugh, sometimes I get upset, sometimes I agree, and sometimes I browse away completely confused. Either way, it's always always worth the read. Seriously, IEP, keep it up!
Posted by: Bill | April 27, 2009 8:23 PM
From the BCPSS website org chart there are two other positions under Science & Health "Elementary Specialist - Dionn Brown" and "Health Coordinator Fund: 4562 Alexia Lotts McCain". I don't think these are particularly new as the title of the org chart implies January 5, 2008.
Posted by: a parent | April 28, 2009 1:18 PM