RESA Science Consultant

Ron Bryant
478.374.2240 ext. 114

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MATH and SCIENCE PARTNERSHIP GRANT 2007

The Heart of Georgia RESA and Georgia Southern University have partnered to offer workshop opportunities for 8th grade Math and 8th grade Physical Science teachers during summer 2007. The 50-hour classes offer free 5 PLU credit or one may choose to pay tuition for graduate credit from GSU. A $300 stipend is also included. Please visit the HGRESA Professional Learning website for more information or call (478) 374-2240, ext. 114 http://www.hgresa.org

Georgia Science Teachers Conference

The annual Georgia Science Teachers Conference will be held February 15 –17, 2007 in Athens, Georgia. Please visit the website to register and for additional information
 
http://www.georgiascienceteacher.org/conf2007.htm

High School Digital Microscopes

The State Department of Education has shipped 5 Digital Microscopes to each high school in Georgia to be used and shared with ALL science classes (not just Biology). For training in the use of the microscopes, contact Ron at (478) 374-2240, ext. 114 or Ron@hgresa.org

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Science Graduation Rule Changes Rationale

Stephen L. Pruitt

Introduction

For the past two graduation rule changes, science has remained unchanged.  The development and implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) has brought with it a discussion of rigor and relevance within the science curriculum.  Proposed changes to the new High School Graduation Rule are due to much the same process as the development of the GPS.

History

The current graduation rule, approved in 2002 and the previous rule, approved in 1998, states, “(VI) Science:  Students shall earn at least three (3) units of credit in science.  Students earning the College Preparatory (CP) or College Preparatory with Distinction seal shall satisfactorily complete a physical science, a life science,and one additional science course.

          Students earning the Technology/Career-preparatory (TC) or
          Technology/Career-preparatory with Distinction (TC+) seal shall meet the
          requirements for the College Preparatory (CP) or College Preparatory with
          Distinction seal or shall pass any three units of science including one physical
          science, one life science or two units of applied biology/chemistry. 

          Science courses that meet the science requirement for graduation shall be year-long
          courses with the exception of the third unit of credit. All courses meeting the
          science requirements for graduation must be laboratory-based.”

This rule allowed students to take any life science, currently 16 life sciences are available, any physical science, currently 22 are available, and any third year course.  There are currently no required courses in science. 

Recommendations

While the language of the recommendation has not been settled, the options being discussed are

Option A

• Biology or its AP/IB equivalent– Required for all students
• A physical science – Defined as Chemistry its AP/IB equivalent; Physics its AP/IB equivalent, or Physical Science
• Earth Systems, Environmental Science its AP equivalent, or any AP/IB science course
• End-of-Course Tests would be administered in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science.

Option B

• Biology or its AP/IB equivalent– Required for all students
• Chemistry its AP/IB equivalent; or Physical Science
• Physics or its AP/IB equivalent ,Earth Systems, Environmental Science its AP equivalent, or any AP/IB science course
• End-of-Course Tests would be administered in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science.

Option C

• Biology or its AP/IB equivalent– Required for all students
• Chemistry its AP/IB equivalent
• Physics or its AP/IB equivalent ,Earth Systems, Environmental Science its AP equivalent, or any AP/IB science course
• End-of-Course Tests would be administered in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Physical Science.

Science Literacy

The question most asked is why do we deviate from Biology, Chemistry, and Physics to include the option of Earth/Environmental?  The issue boils down to a matter of literacy.  Benchmarks for Science Literacy, National Science Education Standards, the Fordham Foundation and NAEP place high value on giving students the opportunity to learn about the Earth and our environment.  So, it comes down to our following the suggestions of the national leaders to include an option, and a strongly worded one at that, for Earth/Environmental.  The NAEP exam counts Earth as approximately 30% of the high school score. 

Physical Science