Spring Break
Letter to the editor
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
According to a recent study, the National Science Foundation reported less than 20 percent of US 12th graders testing proficiently in math and science. Our modern society- security, health, and our environment, all depend on a strong foundation in science and math. Fixing this alarming statistic should be on voters' minds as they make their ways to polling booths next fall.
How, as a nation, did we fall so far behind?
First, we currently are under an administration that is anti-scientific. President Bush, in his State of the Union address last year, called for the training of 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced placement courses in math and science, and 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms over the next year. However, science teachers who are required to "teach the controversy" about evolution are not science teachers. Implementing "science teachers" while cutting funding for environmental research, alternative energy, and stem cell research is akin to putting a band-aid on a compound fracture.
Second, is the increasingly popular teaching method which standardized testing promotes: "teaching for the test." A child is "left behind" if he/she is not truly engaged. As a Biology student at the college level, I am both surprised and terrified at how lax and conforming some of my fellow colleagues are. I would be so bold to assume this type of behavior was fostered through a teaching method based on standardized testing.
Science is hard yet rewarding. Most scientists choose their vocation because of the influence of excellent teachers. My passion for science was shaped by my high school Biology teacher who passed on knowledge by encouraging questioning and ideas, not by mindless facts and figures divorced from context.
The future of our nation deserves progress. There is an urgent need to change our ways if the US is to compete with India, Europe, China, and the rest of the developing world. Next November, WE have the chance to direct that change.
-Sara A. Hammond
How, as a nation, did we fall so far behind?
First, we currently are under an administration that is anti-scientific. President Bush, in his State of the Union address last year, called for the training of 70,000 high school teachers to lead advanced placement courses in math and science, and 30,000 math and science professionals to teach in classrooms over the next year. However, science teachers who are required to "teach the controversy" about evolution are not science teachers. Implementing "science teachers" while cutting funding for environmental research, alternative energy, and stem cell research is akin to putting a band-aid on a compound fracture.
Second, is the increasingly popular teaching method which standardized testing promotes: "teaching for the test." A child is "left behind" if he/she is not truly engaged. As a Biology student at the college level, I am both surprised and terrified at how lax and conforming some of my fellow colleagues are. I would be so bold to assume this type of behavior was fostered through a teaching method based on standardized testing.
Science is hard yet rewarding. Most scientists choose their vocation because of the influence of excellent teachers. My passion for science was shaped by my high school Biology teacher who passed on knowledge by encouraging questioning and ideas, not by mindless facts and figures divorced from context.
The future of our nation deserves progress. There is an urgent need to change our ways if the US is to compete with India, Europe, China, and the rest of the developing world. Next November, WE have the chance to direct that change.
-Sara A. Hammond
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 8
finally!
posted 12/02/07 @ 9:18 PM CST
Gee...I was starting to think there was something wrong with the WC and WIU as we haven't had a Bush bashing in awhile. Good job. I am pretty sure that you will have even more to bitch about after November 2008 and I am not talking about Republicans. (Continued…)
Jesse Cahill
posted 12/05/07 @ 8:24 AM CST
Wow, "communist moron", that cut deep, it really did. In actuality I see myself as more of an anarcho-syndicalist, but I'd rather not resort to meaningless labels. (Continued…)
Jesse Cahill
posted 12/05/07 @ 2:33 PM CST
Quite obviously it is "an opinion", that is undoubtedly correct, but it is an informed opinion from educators and administrators themselves, who see the effects of a large-scale plan such as "No Child Left Behind" on a daily basis. (Continued…)
Jesse Cahill
posted 12/06/07 @ 9:58 AM CST
Firstly, I hope that you understand I was being genuine in my thanking you for not personally attacking me. Secondly, I was not arguing that simply because educators and administrators criticize NCLB it must be a flawed project. (Continued…)
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