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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 10, 2005 Oregon gets an ‘F’ in science By PARIS ACHEN Mail Tribune Oregon is failing at setting high standards for science instruction in public schools, according to a report that evaluated the subject to indicate how states might fare in mandatory science tests in 2007 under the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind education law. Released Wednesday by the Washington, D.C.-based Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the report suggests most children in the United States will not be able to compete globally without higher standards in science and math. It gave Oregon an "F" for its science standards. "Children face a world that is as globally competitive as we’ve never seen before," said Michael Petrilli, the institute’s vice president for national programs and policy. "In order to succeed, they will need to be able to do a higher level of math and science than they can do today. "Unfortunately, parents in Oregon cannot be confident their children are being taught to high science standards." Advertisement Petrilli said Oregon’s science standards have deteriorated since 2000 when the institute’s last science report was conducted even though the Oregon Department of Education revised its science standards in 2001. The institute gave the state’s science standards a "B" in 2000. "Oregon was the state with the greatest decline," Petrilli said. "The revisions show an infatuation with the process but not a lot of detail about what students should learn." The development of science process standards in higher grades "suggests little expectation of student growth" in high school, the report states. Astronomy is limited, and there are omissions in topics, such as cosmology (the study of the universe as a whole) and electromagnetism. State education officials said they disagree with the institute’s assessment of the state’s science standards. Kathleen Vanderwall, director of standards and evaluation in the Oregon Department of Education’s Office of Educational Improvement and Innovation, said the report failed to take into account supplemental material used to determine standards. She acknowledged that the written standards are broad, but they are not meant to stand alone. "We built a grade-level map that is very specific and detailed about what students should learn and goes from kindergarten through high school," Vanderwall said. However, under law, the state cannot dictate the sequence of the subject matter or how in-depth school districts choose to go, which might create gaps in knowledge, she said. "We also didn’t want to buy into the concept of a curricula full of little details that might cause some students to lose sight of the big, overall concepts," she said. Gary Sprague, a retired science teacher from North Medford High School, said state science standards have improved in the last decade. "I think (the state) has shown quite a bit of direction in teaching students science and preparing them for college," Sprague said. "I definitely do know the Medford district has really been on top of making sure (science) topics are covered in a specific time frame." The goal of the report was to identify each state’s science standards and determine their rigor and organization in preparation for science tests required by the No Child Left Behind Act. Starting the 2007-08 school year, students will be required take a science test once in grades 3-5, grades 6-9 and grades 10-12. Thirteen other states also received a failing grade for science. A grade of "D" went to eight states. Nine states, including Washington, had average marks. Twelve states got a "B". Seven states, including California, received an "A". Iowa was not graded because it does not set academic standards. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 776-4496 or e-mail Oregon gets an �F� in science ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans Online Pharmacy tcg student loan consolidation Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Advertisement s