Reform Movements in Science Education
Current Reform issues
- multicultural science education
- science teaching for diverse learners
- thematic approach curriculum
- multidisciplinary curriculum
- inclusion of ethical analysis in a curriculum
- science-technology-society
- state standardized testing
- use of technology
- online education
- academic language
- layered vs. spiraling curriculua
Recent Reform Initiatives
- National Science Education Standards (National Academy)
- State-mandated Content Standards (California Content Standards)
- Scope Sequence and Coordination
Project (National Science Teachers Association )
- Project 2061- Science for All Americans - (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
Curricular Reforms in the Post-Sputnik Era (1957-1980)
The NDEA was influenced by the Soviet launch of the satellite Sputnik on October 4, 1957. The launch shook the American belief that the USA was superior in Math and Science to all other countries. The citizens of the United States feared that schools of the Soviet Union were superior to American schools, and Congress reacted by adding the act to take US schools up to speed. The NDEA provided significant funding for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs at US colleges and universities. BSCS, PSSC, ISCS, IPS, ESCP and other science curriculum reform initiatives were started by NDEA or related funding.
- Post Sputnik Reforms
- BSCS (Biological Sciences Curriculum Study )
- Chem Study or CHEMS (Chemical Education Material Study)
- PSSC (Physical Science Study Committee)
- ISCS (Intermediate Science Curriculum Study)
- IPS (Introductory Physical Science)
- Harvard Project Physics
- ESCP (Earth Science Curriculum Project)
- New Math
Local Responses
- California Science Project (CSUN)
Readings
- Readings of ELPS 710 - Science & Math Reform