T C E B TRIANGLE COALITION ELECTRONIC BULLETIN OCTOBER 25, 2001 VOL. 7, NO. 38 _____________________________________________________
Published by the TRIANGLE COALITION FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION _____________________________________________________ THIS WEEK'S TOPICS: MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE DECADE: SUCCESS THROUGH COLLABORATION BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP OF LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE TECH TALENT BILL NSF FELLOWSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL STUDY IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DIG NATURAL RESOURCES STATES URGED TO KEEP EYES ON EDUCATION MCAS FAILURES DROP SHARPLY; RESULTS HAILED BUSH LOBBIES FOR EDUCATION BILL'S PASSAGE RADIOSHACK SUPPORTS MATH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHERS ____________________________________________________ MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF THE DECADE: SUCCESS THROUGH COLLABORATION The Triangle Coalition held its conference "Meeting the Challenges of the Decade: Success Through Collaboration" October 18-19 in Washington, D.C. Featured speakers included Bruce Alberts, President, National Academy of Sciences; Tom Ferrio, Vice President for Marketing, Education and Productivity Solutions, Texas Instruments Incorporated; and Linda Rosen, Senior Vice President, Education, National Alliance of Business. Conference participants also heard from a distinguished group of panelists representing the Delaware Science Coalition, Georgia Youth Science & Technology Centers, SciMathMN, and Bristol-Myers Squibb/National Science Resources Center partnership. Four questions regarding business/education partnerships in support of mathematics, science, and/or technology education were addressed at the conference and answered by the conference participants: (1) What are the characteristics of a successful partnership/alliance from a business point of view? (2) What are the characteristics of a successful partnership/alliance from an education perspective? (3) What are the major obstacles to the success of these partnerships/alliances and how can they be overcome? (4) How do these partnerships/alliances measure success? The conference findings will be sent to conference participants and Triangle Coalition members. Conference highlights, materials, and these findings will also be posted in a Members Only section of our web site in early November. The Triangle Coalition would like to thank the following conference sponsors whose support helped make the conference a success: American Geological Institute; American Institute of Physics; American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Carus Corporation; CASIO, Inc.; Delta Education, Inc.; Dow Chemical Company; E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co.; The Medtronic Foundation; and Texas Instruments Incorporated. ************************************ BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP OF LAWMAKERS INTRODUCE TECH TALENT BILL Senators Joe Lieberman (D-CT), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Christopher Bond (R-MO), Bill Frist (R-TN), and Pete Domenici (R-NM) have introduced the "Tech Talent bill," aimed at increasing the number of scientists, engineers, and technologists in the United States. House Science Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Rep. John Larson (D-CT) are introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives. The decline in our technical workforce is becoming a major U.S. economic problem. Recent studies project that the number of jobs requiring significant technical skills will grow by more than 50 percent in the United States over the next ten years. However, outside of the life sciences, the number of degrees awarded in science and engineering over the last decade has been flat or declining. This legislation aims to address the problem by establishing a competitive grant program at the National Science Foundation that rewards universities, colleges, and community colleges pledging to increase the number of U.S. citizens or permanent residents obtaining degrees in science, math, engineering, and technology fields. Industry supporters of the legislation include TechNet, a national network of CEOs and senior executives from the leading technology and biotechnology companies; Al Berkeley, Vice Chair of NASDAQ; the National Alliance of Business; Texas Instruments; and General Electric. Educational supporters of the legislation include the Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education; K-12 Science Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology Coalition; the American Association of State Colleges and Universities;, and the American Astronomical Society. ************************************ NSF FELLOWSHIPS FOR DOCTORAL STUDY IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION The universities of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Mathematics Teaching and Learning announce exceptional fellowship opportunities for doctoral study in Mathematics Education at the University of Delaware, the University of Maryland, or The Pennsylvania State University. The Mid-Atlantic Center offers exciting opportunities to work and study with nationally known faculty addressing critical issues in research, development, and practice to improve school mathematics. Explore the challenges and opportunities of doctoral studies provided by this new collaboration of mathematics education programs and faculty at the three universities. For information about the program, visit www.education.umd.edu/mac-mtl, call 301-405-3115, or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************************ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DIG NATURAL RESOURCES A typical day would not be possible without mineral resources to make the products we use; water resources to sustain our lives, to keep us clean, and to cook our food; or energy resources to power our cars and to provide our electricity. All these resources exist in abundance on our planet, but none will last forever without careful planning and management. These issues and the geoscience behind them are the focus of Earth's Natural Resources, the fourth of five hands-on, inquiry-based curriculum modules comprising the Earth System Science in the Community (EarthComm) curriculum program for grades 9-12. The American Geological Institute (AGI) is producing the EarthComm curriculum in association with It's About Time Publishing. This series, developed in accordance with the National Science Education Standards and the American Association for the Advancement of Science-Project 2061's Benchmarks for Science Literacy, is designed to help high school students understand fundamental Earth Science concepts by the time they graduate. Through their inquiry and activities in this module, students develop an understanding of the complex interactions associated with the Earth's energy, mineral, and water resources. Each chapter in the Earth's Natural Resources module addresses our use of resources in our day-to-day lives, and the activities and background text enable students to understand the complex processes unique to each resource domain. EarthComm provides the teacher and students with a wide selection of content that meets local interests and course objectives. The modules can be used as stand-alone units or as a full course presented in any order. AGI has also developed a comprehensive teacher guide, materials kits, and a web site (www.agiweb.org/earthcomm) for each module. Triangle Coalition member, the American Geological Institute, is a nonprofit federation of 37 geoscientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in mankind's use of resources and interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at www.agiweb.org. The Institute also provides a public outreach web site, www.earthscienceworld.org. ************************************ STATES URGED TO KEEP EYES ON EDUCATION (Source: Education Week, October 17, 2001) For the fourth time in 12 years, state governors gathered recently at an "education summit" to talk about ways to improve the nation's schools. This time, only 15 of them came. With the country at war against terrorism and the economy in trouble, the other 35 stayed home to manage their National Guard units or monitor budget crises instead of traveling to an IBM conference center here to discuss the next steps needed to raise student achievement. Even among the governors who attended, few stayed for the whole two days. Instead, they made appearances between trips to Washington before returning to their state capitals for more pressing business. Conference goers -- 90 governors, corporate executives, and education leaders -- approved a five-page statement detailing their views on how to improve testing programs, accountability plans, and the quality of teaching. But questions remain over who will take charge of ensuring the agenda is carried out. Will it be governors, who have been at the forefront of school reform efforts since the 1980s, culminating in a 1989 summit with the first President Bush? Or will a coalition of educators and private groups take up the cause? Governors here insisted that although the nation faces urgent military and economic challenges after a decade marked largely by peace and prosperity, they will continue to make improving their schools a priority. (Editor's Note: More information and briefings from the conference may be found at www.achieve.org.) ************************************ MCAS FAILURES DROP SHARPLY; RESULTS HAILED (Source: Boston Globe, October 16, 2001) Massachusetts has unveiled 2001 MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) results showing that the number of 10th-graders who failed the test has dropped by nearly half -- a stunning turnaround that is sure to transform the years-long debate over the standardized exam. Acting Governor Jane M. Swift, flanked by delighted legislators and education officials at the State House, announced that 82 percent of 10th-graders passed English, compared to 66 percent in 2000. The math passing rate was 75 percent, up from 55 percent in 2000. Failure rates are expected to decline further as students take up to four retests by the end of their senior year. Scores for younger students also improved in most subjects, but slightly. School and district results will be released later this month. The class of 2003 is the first that must pass MCAS English and math to get their diplomas. Education Commissioner David P. Driscoll has long predicted that scores would improve once 10th-graders knew they had to pass the test to graduate. Yesterday, he acknowledged that increased effort ''has to be a major factor'' in the 10th-grade gains. The 2001 results will at least slow the momentum of the anti-MCAS forces, which seemed to be gaining in strength. The gains almost certainly will scuttle the drive to delay the graduation requirement, which was the goal of many groups opposed to the test and of several bills on Beacon Hill. Stephen Gorrie, who heads the Massachusetts Teachers Association, said the scoring gains don't make MCAS ''sound educational policy.'' And Karen Hartke of Fair Test, a Cambridge group that has marshaled MCAS opposition across the state, said the improvement might be the result of ''test-based mania'' in the state's classrooms. ''On the surface, it looks like the education has improved,'' Hartke said. ''The question is, are the students more critical thinkers or better test-takers?'' ************************************ BUSH LOBBIES FOR EDUCATION BILL'S PASSAGE (Source: Washington Post, October 13, 2001) President Bush has personally urged leaders of a congressional conference committee to complete work on his education reform plan, saying the legislation is vital not only to the nation's schools but also to demonstrate that his domestic agenda will not be halted by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Bush summoned Sens. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), and Reps. John A. Boehner (R-OH) and George Miller (D-CA), to the Oval Office for a 25-minute meeting where he implored them to pass the education reform measure, his top domestic priority. The Bush plan would require students to take reading and mathematics tests in Grades 3 to 8, with both students and educators held accountable for the results. Students attending persistently failing schools would be able to use public money to get private tutoring or transfer to successful public schools. Failing schools would either be revamped with new programs and new staff or be converted into a charter school. After passing the House and Senate by wide margins last spring, the differing versions of the education plan were sent to a conference committee, where progress has been slow. Conferees have differed on issues including funding, the amount of freedom states and local school systems would be given in spending federal aid, and the definition of a failing school. In their meeting with Bush, leaders of the conference committee -- the chairman and ranking members of the education committees in both chambers -- said they have been making progress on small issues and expect the other matters to be settled in the coming weeks. ************************************ RADIOSHACK SUPPORTS MATH, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY TEACHERS RadioShack Corporation is seeking outstanding high school educators for its 2001-2002 National Teacher Awards program. The program recognizes teachers who demonstrate a commitment to educational excellence in mathematics, science, and technology. Each year, the RadioShack National Teachers Awards program honors 110 high school teachers and awards a cash prize of $3,000 to teachers with more than three years experience and $1,000 to teachers who are in their second or third year of teaching. In addition, each recipient's school will receive a $500 RadioShack TechTool Grant to advance math, science, or technology teaching and learning practices. Since it began the National Teacher Awards program, RadioShack has awarded $3.9 million to 1,220 individuals for their commitment, excellence, and innovation in the classroom. Applications for the RadioShack National Teacher Awards program are mailed to every high school in the United States enrolled in the program. To be considered for recognition, teachers must be nominated by their school principal or a former honoree, submit a completed application packet, and provide a letter of reference. Applications must be postmarked no later than December 17, 2001. For more information about the RadioShack National Teacher Awards program, visit http://education.radioshack.com/teacherawards, call (817) 415-3898, or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________________ This TCEB is made possible by a grant from AT&T. Please visit www.att.com/learningnetwork for more information about AT&T's support for education. The TCEB is a newsletter provided to members of the Triangle Coalition. Members may forward individual articles or the issue in its entirety providing that credit is given to the Triangle Coalition, and all of the following contact information is included in any republication. For TCEB subscription or membership information, contact: Triangle Coalition for Science and Technology Education 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005 phone: 800-582-0115 fax: 202-289-1303 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.triangle-coalition.org To submit information for possible inclusion in TCEB, contact: Joanne Van Voorhis, Target Marketing, Editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************************ THE MISSION OF THE TRIANGLE COALITION IS TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AMONG LEADERS IN EDUCATION, BUSINESS, AND GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION. The Triangle Coalition membership includes business, labor, education, science, mathematics, technology and engineering organizations, and community and state-based alliances. ************************************ -- This is the ISTA-talk mailing list. 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