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[Phys-L] On the Impact of Standards



This was sent to the NSTA, physical science list...I find it very troubling.

"The district I am in (Burnsville, Minnesota) is planning on moving all the
9-12 physics standards into 8th grade. This is because senior physics is
not a required course and the standards for physical science must be
met/assessed by all students.

In your professional opinion, can/should 8th graders be required to meet
and be assessed on 9-12 physics standards?

The history of this decision in quite a complex one; it deals with the
state of Minnesota requiring all students in grades 9-12 meet and be
assessed on standards that include earth science, a course not taught in
our high school. Earth science will now be moved from grade 8 into grade 9
to meet this requirement and the physics part of the physical science
standards will be taught in grade 8."

If you care to comment to the original author, they are

vikefans@earthlink.net

I suggested it was a dangerous idea, both in terms of student preparedness if they were going to do something really quantitative, but that they might want to look at the physics first material.

It seems to me that this is a good example of the standards gone wrong. The class could become the classic example of what drives kids away from science.


cheers,

joe


--
Joseph J. Bellina, Jr. Ph.D.
574-284-4662, 4968
Saint Mary's College
Dept. of Chemistry and Physics
Notre Dame, IN, 46556
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