Speak Up in DC by Jim Rosso
Sputnik and Science Ed Reform
Currently, there is a yearning for the spirit of the Sputnik era. Not the time when Russia beat the U.S. in a technological drag race, but the time when the enemy was well defined and the challenge was in our face and we felt motivated to respond and mobilize our resources. Some have suggested that today we need a clear challenge to get us motivated enough to fix education, especially science education.
The irony of the Sputnik period is that we did not fix science education on any long term basis. Through additional funding to the National Science Foundation we came up with some interesting curriculum that was produced by various government scientists and university professors.
But Congress defunded the program after the public raised an outcry over the anthropology course, “Man – A Course of Study (MACOS)” which talked about the evolution of humans. Soon we were back to science textbooks that looked just like the pre-Sputnik textbooks.
To quote Pogo “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Or, in another way – We are the challenge that we are waiting for. In a summative evaluation of the Post-Sputnik period it was determined that any improvements to science education were minimal. Teaching science was a tougher job than anybody had thought.
Speak Up students recognize the importance of science education to help with a science related job (G6-8 — 48% and G9-12 — 44%) getting into college (G6-8 — 57% and G9-12 — 56%), and graduating from high school (G6-8 — 55% and G9-12 — 59%).
Speak Up 2007 National Findings Released - 4/8/07
Project Tomorrow released the Speak Up 2007 National Findings on Tuesday, April 8th. Speak Up 2007 revealed a growing “digital disconnect” between students and their teachers and parents about the role of technology for learning, and how well schools are preparing students for the jobs of the future. This disconnect is evident in the fact that school administrators (66%), teachers (47%), and parents (43%) say “local schools are doing a good job preparing students for the jobs and careers of the future,” but over 40% of middle and high school students stated that teachers limit their use of technology in schools. Forty-five percent of middle and high school students indicated that tools meant to protect them, such as firewalls and filters are inhibiting their learning.
“Students continue to be on the leading edge in terms of adopting, modifying and re-using digital content and technology tools to enrich both their personal and educational lives. The students in many ways are far ahead of their teachers and parents not only in the sophistication of their technology use, but in the adoption of emerging technologies for learning purposes,” said Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans. “It is in our nation’s best interest that we support and facilitate student usage of technology for learning.”
See Press Release
Ten Who’ve Made a Difference
In honor of their 10th anniversary, eSchool News recently released a list of the ten most influential leaders in educational technology. We are pleased to announce that Project Tomorrow’s very own CEO, Julie Evans, made the top of the very impressive list! Click here to learn more about Project Tomorrow’s innovative accomplishments and see who else made the list!
Congressional Briefing - Speak Up 2007
We are happy to announce that after months of data analysis the Speak Up 2007 national findings will be released at a Capitol Hill briefing sponsored by Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard on Tuesday, April 8th at 12:00noon.
Nearly 370,000 students, teachers, administrators and parents from all 50 states shared their ideas on science, math, technology and 21st century skills through Speak Up 2007. Selected findings include:
- 54% of students are interested in STEM careers
- One-third of teachers say they would like to teach an online class
- 84% of administrators say educational technology enhances student achievement
- 63% of parents say they know more about child’s schoolwork and grades because of school technology
The agenda will feature a presentation of key Speak Up 2007 findings from Julie Evans, Project Tomorrow CEO, and a panel of K-12 students, teachers, administrators and parents.
The briefing will be held on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 from 12:00noon - 1:30pm in Room B-340, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington DC. Lunch will be provided. If you would like to attend the briefing, please RSVP to Brittany Griffin with Bernstein Strategy Group at bgriffin@jbernsteinstrategy.com. We will record the event and post the podcast and PowerPoint at http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speakup_congress.html
Speak Up in DC by Jim Rosso
Excitement and Authentic Learning
Much of the time in DC is spent attending forums and hearings where people share their views and information; the democratic process. The House Subcommittee on Labor-HHS- Education Subcommittee had a hearing on Feb. 26 with Secretary Spellings on the FY09 Education Budget. It was an opportunity for Secretary Spellings to defend the White House’s FY09-10 Education Budget.
While sitting in the hearing room in the Rayburn Building across the street from the Capital building the various representatives were using the opportunity to make a small speech about what they thought of the Department of Education and to ask a question of the Secretary. Listening to the point counterpoint, some of it friendly and some of it definitely not friendly, I became aware of a theme running through the proceedings. (more…)
Loading ...