Texas Education Science Curriculum Improvement

Texas Education Science Curriculum Improvement Plan: PowerPoint Presentation

Slide 1: The Science Curriculum: A Discipline in Need of Reform

Slide 2: Reformation Program. Step 1-Evaluation, Step 2-Innovation, Step 3- implementation

Slide 3: Evaluation: It is crucial to determine first what is wrong with the science program -Students of all learning styles, ethnic groups and genders have shown a decline in science aptitude -There appears to be a disconnect between students and materials -Science testing has declined even as improvement has been apparent in other disciplines

Slide 4: Evaluation: Problem Statement -Aptitudes are clearly lagging because of curricular, rather than student based, failures -Students have not been effectively consulted on science interests/expectations -Instructors do not have sufficient freedom or input with material

Slide 5: Innovation: Addressing the Problem -Establish more exciting/active/lab based curriculum -Engage more demonstrative display/experimentation -Diversify text sources and integrate electronic/online sources into regular curriculum. -Change grading/evaluation focus to accommodate individual improvements rather than strict academic benchmarks

Slide 6: Innovation: Inducing change -Changing student/instructor attitudes through engagement tactics -More open, participatory classroom structure -Class discussions applying humor/popular culture/student experience -praise-based reward system designed to instill student confidence and motivation -Friendly laboratory competition/team project orientation

Slide 7: Implementation: Practical Application -A need for greater resources, economically, technologically etc -A need for greater in-classroom assistance such as from an aide or a laboratory assistant -A need for expanded/improved/culturally relevant text and textual content -A need for integration of online technology into lesson plans/laboratory opportunities.