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Re: The End of Hands-On Science Activities in California's K-8 Classrooms?



Phys-L's 300-line limitation has mercifully shielded Phys-L'ers from
my encyclopedic 365 liner:

Hake, R.R. 2004. Re: The End of Hands-On Science Activities in
California's K-8 Classrooms?, online at
<http://lists.psu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0401&L=physhare&O=D&P=10483>.
Post of 24 Jan 2004 16:57:11-0800 to AERA-K, AP-Physics, BIOPI-L,
Chemed-L,
Math-Learn, Phys-L, PhysLrnR, Physhare, and POD.

If you're:

(a) not interested, please hit the delete button,

(b) interested in scanning the entire post, click on the above URL,

(c) interested in scanning an abridged version, see the APPENDIX.

Richard Hake, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Indiana University
24245 Hatteras Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
<rrhake@earthlink.net>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sdi>

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
APPENDIX [Abridged Version of Hake (2004)]

California's regressive "Criteria For Evaluating K-8 Science
Instructional Materials In Preparation for the 2006 Adoption," was
passed by the California Curriculum Commission (CCC) on 16 January
2004 [online as a 40kB pdf at <http://www.cde.ca.gov/cfir/science>].

The "Criteria" are antithetical to three decades of research-based
evidence for the relative effectiveness of interactive-engagement
methods of science education, since they severely restrict the use of
hands-on activities in K-8 classrooms [see Woolf & Hake (2004), Hake
(2003; 2004a,b,c)]. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unfortunately, despite the importance of the "Criteria," they and
their anti-hands-on orientation are not well known in the science,
education, political, and business sectors of California, let alone
the nation.

This is unfortunate because IF the "Criteria" are passed by the
California State Board of Education <http://www.cde.ca.gov/board/> at
their next meeting in March, they may drastically effect the K-8
textbooks that publishers print for consumption, not only in
California but IN THE ENTIRE NATION, since publishers strive to
satisfy their largest markets: California and Texas.
It's quite possible that only hands-off "direct instruction" K-8
science textbooks will be widely available in the U.S. after 2006.
This could result in an even:

a. greater turn-off of children from science;

b. worse performance in NAEP and international testing programs [for
the poor national ratings see
<http://www.aft.org/publications/on_campus/feb02/clips.html>, for
California's dismal performance see Pak (2002)];

c. larger number of unprepared students entering high schools,
colleges, and universities;

d. smaller pool of knowledgeable citizens;

e. fewer competent teachers, engineers, scientists, technologists,
and entrepreneures, along with a less competent work force, resulting
in:

f. more astronomical state and national budget deficits and fiscal crises;

g. greater science illiteracy of the general population with
consequent threats to effective democracy and general well being. . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . Judging from all the above it would seem imperative that
messages and face-to-face contacts with Schwarznegger & Riordan (the
latter as urged by David Andrews) be aimed at motivating them to
appoint to the Board of Education people who know something about
education (what a novel idea!) BEFORE the Board's next meeting in
March, at which the fate of the anti-hands-on "Criteria" will
presumably be decided.

Unless positive action is taken very soon it seems likely that:

a. the victory for the teaching of evolution in Texas [Dawson (2003)]
will NOT be repeated for minds- and hands-on teaching of science in
California (and hence the nation);

b. science education in California will follow the downward path of
math education [Becker & Jacob (2000), Sowder (1998)].

If you are inclined to support the hands-on cause by sending your
comments and suggestions to Governor Schwarznegger and Secretary of
Education Riordan, here again is the contact information:

GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-445-4633
Email: <governor@governor.ca.gov>
Website: <http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/newgov/govsite/gov_homepage.jsp>
"To help us keep track of correspondence and to ensure that we are
able to respond to California residents, please be sure to include
your name and address when you communicate with the Governor's
Office. We do not accept
e-mail attachments.]


SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RICHARD RIORDAN
Governor's Office
Office of the Secretary for Education
1121 L Street, Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 323-0611
Fax: (916) 323-3753
Website: <http://www.ose.ca.gov/>
Biography: <http://www.ose.ca.gov/bios/riordan.html>

Richard Hake, Emeritus Professor of Physics, Indiana University
24245 Hatteras Street, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
<rrhake@earthlink.net>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~hake>
<http://www.physics.indiana.edu/~sdi>