FYI, here are facts and resources. -- Jane Jackson, ASU physics,
Modeling Instruction.
Nationally, the percentage of high school students who take PHYSICS
has grown to almost 40% (AIP, 2014). Physics is prerequisite for
almost all STEM careers. High school physics is the chief STEM
pathway.
TWO POLICY STATEMENTS on high school physics as a core course are:
1) The ACT policy platform: K-12 (2013) states:
ACT research has demonstrated the benefits to student academic
performance of a minimum core curriculum that includes the following:
... Three years of science, including rigorous courses in Biology,
Chemistry, and PHYSICS [MY CAPS] ...
(
http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Policy-Platforms-k-12-online.pdf
, p.8 )
2) Position Statement of the National Alliance of Black School Educators: http://vector.nsbp.org/2012/03/16/national-alliance-of-black-school-educators-endorses-physics-first/
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Physics is a gateway course for post-secondary study in science,
medicine, and engineering, as well as an essential component in the
formation of students' scientific literacy. Physics classes hone
thinking skills. An understanding of physics leads to a better
understanding of other science disciplines. Physics classes help
polish the skills needed to score well on the SAT and ACT. College
recruiters recognize the value of taking high school physics. College
success for virtually all science, computing, engineering, and
premedical majors depends in part on passing physics. The job market
for people with skills in physics is strong. Knowledge of physics is
helpful for understanding the arts, politics, history, and culture.
Currently only 25% of Black and Hispanic high school students
take any course in physics. Thus many do not even get to the gateway.
...
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What is the evidence for including physics in a core curriculum?
These FOUR RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS show that:
* Students who take high school PHYSICS are twice as likely to be
ready for COLLEGE SCIENCE (ACT report of 2006, p. 2 & 3).
* A college student who took high school physics is twice as likely
to earn a STEM bachelor's degree as a student whose highest science
course was chemistry (Tyson et al., 2007).
* Interactive engagement high school physics programs (like Modeling
Instruction) almost double again the number of students who intend to
major in STEM, compared to lecture-based high school physics (TIMSS,
2000). (i.e., minds-on, hands-on investigations with quick feedback
via student discourse.)
* On TIMSS science & math literacy tests, interactive engagement
high school PHYSICS programs score highest in the world! (TIMSS 2000
-- Table A1: just after page 35).
* ONE year of high school physics is more strongly correlated with
STEM career interest, than ANY other science course (Sadler et al --
see Fig.3).
Will Tyson, Reginald Lee, Kathryn M. Borman and Mary Ann Hanson
(2007). Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Pathways: High School Science and Math Coursework and Postsecondary
Degree Attainment, Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk,
Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 243-270. (Tyson was at the University of South
Florida.)
TIMSS Physics Achievement Comparison Study, by Eugenio Gonzalez
(April 2000). Conducted for the National Science Foundation by TIMSS
International Study Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill.
http://modeling.asu.edu/Evaluations/TIMSS_NSFphysicsStudy99.pdf