Due to changes from the 2005 test, the results cannot be compared to earlier years. Regardless, it shows that American students' achievements in science are dismal.
The Basic level denotes partial mastery of the knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient work at each grade. Seventy-two percent of fourth-graders, 63 percent of eighth-graders, and 60 percent of twelfth-graders performed at or above the Basic level in science in 2009.The Advanced level represents superior performance. One percent of fourth-graders, 2 percent of eighth-graders, and 1 percent of twelfth-graders performed at the Advanced level. (From The Nation's Report Card: Science 2009)
How can we possibly compete with industries from China and India when we can't even being to train our OWN students to master topics in basic science fields?
Norm Augustine, the former CEO of Lockheed Martin and a major author of Rising Above the Gathering Storm, has been calling for science education reform for over half a decade, to little avail. Industries are alarmed; students are falling further behind; but parents and the schools think that the status quo is just right.
While parents and the public understand the value of STEM skills, there’s still a gap between the way the leaders and public see the problem. Few Americans think it is absolutely essential for students to understand advanced sciences like physics (28%) and advanced math like calculus (26%). When it comes to their own child, few parents want more emphasis on advanced math and science like physics (42%) and calculus (42%). Additionally, nearly 7 in 10 Americans say science can wait until middle and high school. (From Are We Beginning to See the Light? at Public Agenda.)
I've had many people tell me that what our country needs is another "Sputnik moment" to spur us into action about reforming science education. I think we've passed it -- and very few people have noticed.
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