Phys-L's 300-line limitation has mercifully shielded Phys-L'ers from
my encyclopedic 322 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=12469>.
Post of 28 Jan 2004 13:40:14-0800 to AERA-K, AP-Physics, BIOPI-L.
CHEMED-L, Math-Learn Phys-L, PHYSLRNR, Physhare, POD, and PHYSOC.
If your interest is:
(a) zero or less, then please hit the delete button,
(b) only slightly greater than zero, then please scan the abridged
version in the APPENDIX.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
APPENDIX [Abridged Version of Hake (2004)]
As I have previously indicated [Hake (2004a)], California's
regressive "Criteria For Evaluating K-8 Science Instructional
Materials In Preparation for the 2006 Adoption" [CCC (2004)], was
passed by the California Curriculum Commission (CCC) on 16 January
2004, even despite the forceful anti-"Criteria":
(a) post of 14 Jan 2004 Hake (2004b), distributed to the CCC; and
(b) testimony of 16 Jan 2004 to the CCC by Larry Woolf (2004).
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The California anti-hands-on movement has been spearheaded by
biologist Stan Metzenberg (1998a,b; undated)] with the backing of a
politically appointed and educationally naive State Board of
Education [<http://www.cde.ca.gov/board/>, see members' bios at
<http://www.cde.ca.gov/board/bio.htm>].
Metzenberg
<http://www.csun.edu/~hfbio002/grad/faculty/smetzenberg.htm> is
convinced that "understanding is built only upon a solid foundation
of knowledge of facts" [Metzenberg (1998b)]. At first sight, this
might seem to be consistent with "constructivist" theories of knowing
[e.g., Bransford (1999, pages 10-12, "Pre-Existing Knowledge")] "that
existing knowledge is used to build new knowledge."
But cognitive scientists are in general agreement [Bransford (1999)],
that although there may be "a time for telling" [Schwartz & Bransford
(1998)], deep conceptual understanding cannot generally be advanced
solely by telling, as has been borne out (unknown to most cognitive
scientists) by three-decades worth of physics-education research
[e.g., Karplus (1974, 1977, 1981); Arons (1972, 1974); Halloun &
Hestenes (1985a,b); McDermott & Redish (1999); Hake (1998a,b; 2002);
Crouch & Mazur (2001); Fagen et al. (2002); Redish (2003); Belcher
(2003) - for these references see Hake (2004b)].
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amazingly, Metzenberg, despite his zero background in K-8 science
education, and his extremest views on that subject [Metzenberg
(1998a,b; undated)], is successfully dictating a "direct
instruction," "teaching-by-telling," hands-off K-8 science curriculum
for California and the Nation, in direct opposition to programs
advocated by the NRC's National Science Education Standards, the
American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American
Association of Physics Teachers, the American Physical Society, the
American Chemical Society, the National Association of Biology
Teachers, the National Science Foundation, and the National Science
Teachers Association.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Judging from all the above it would seem imperative that messages and
face-to-face contacts with Schwarznegger & Riordan 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 on 10-11 March 2004, 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 (and hence the Nation) will follow
the downward path of math education [Becker & Jacob (2000), Sowder
(1998)].
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
If you are inclined to support the hands-on cause, please send your
comments and suggestions to Governor Schwarznegger and Secretary of
Education Riordan as soon as possible. Here 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>