The California Science Framework, an amplification of the California
Science Standards for grades K-12, is now open for public review and
comment.
For those on this list who are interested to see how their favorite topic
is being treated by the Framework, I would recommend reading the notice
below from CSEAC and submitting comments. You actually have a chance at
affecting how science is taught in California.
I have some disagreement about how subtractive color mixing is treated (p.
96, chapter 3):
"The human perception of a wide range of colors can be controlled by
printing just four colored dots (usually magenta, yellow and cyan along
with a very dark purple or black) in patterns too small to perceive
(resolve) with the human eye. This is an additive effect of creating color
images commonly used in magazines. "
The Frameworkers apparently want students to associate the primary
subtractive colors with additive color mixing.
One of the major difficulties with the standards movement is that the
standards and frameworks are viewed as gospel after they are adopted. They
are then the basis for assessments/ textbooks/rewards systems etc.
Unfortunately, those in power never seemed to realize the necessity of
making these documents subject to continuous and mandatory revision,
updating and improvement. They may not have taken enough history classes
to learn about the importance of "living documents," such as the
Constitution, with its ammendments, and an independent judiciary to resolve
disagreements.
Larry Woolf
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This announcement has been posted by the California Science Education
Advisory Committee (CSEAC).
_____________________________________________
The draft California Science Framework was put up on the web on December 19
for public comment. The State Board of Education will review and hear that
public comment at its meeting in Sacramento on January 9th. If possible,
please provide public comment as described below.
The current draft includes considerable revisions made by the Curriculum
Commission. Rollie Otto, who played a leadership role in the development of
the framework, did not participate in the latest revisions. He has publicly
stated his opposition to the current draft, and has called for fundamental
changes before it is finalized by the State Board of Education.
In additon to commenting about the content of the current draft, you can
also comment about the process and amount of time for public review of the
revisions that have just been made.
MORE INFORMATION:
The 2002 draft Science Framework for California Public Schools is now
available for public review. This framework is the document that will
support the implementation of the science standards, drive our science
programs, and ultimately define how Californiaís students will learn
science. It is essential that you provide your input now to the State
Board of Education (SBE) concerning the documentís strengths and
weaknesses. This document will direct state policies for the next six
years.
The draft framework can be downloaded from the California Department of
Educationís web page. The address is
http://www.cde.ca.gov/cfir Once on this Curriculum Frameworks and
Instructional Resources page, click on Science. Then click on the chapters
you want to review. The document is long so you need to focus on where you
can provide the best input.
Chapters 1-2 is only 15 pages and includes the Introduction and a section
on the Nature of Science and Technology.
Chapter 3 is the bulk of the document (246 pages) and is organized grade by
grade through middle school and also has sections on each of the high
school science disciplines for which there are state standards.
Chapters 4-7 (only 18 pages) includes chapters on Assessment, Universal
Access, Professional Development, and Criteria for State Adoption of
Instructional Materials.
Any person wishing to provide written input to SBE can send their comments to:
Reed Hastings, SBE President,
California State Board of Education Office
721 Capitol Mall
Sacramento, CA 95814
Letters should be submitted prior to January 4, 2002, in order to be
included in the SBEís meeting materials.