Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Molecular Genetics, Matter and Energy, Astronomy and Anatomy could be excluded from the MCPS Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum.

MCPS Debates Cutting Some Science Courses

MCPS is debating whether or not to eliminate all science courses that are not part of the county curriculum. If the decision is approved, Molecular Genetics, Matter and Energy, Astronomy and Anatomy could be excluded from the MCPS Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum.
However, a more immediate change is that the curriculum for science courses is that they are being changed to align with the Maryland State Science Standards and the Common Core State Standards for Literacy and Mathematics.
“Students are going to have to study more science fields like chemistry and physics,” Biology teacher Sara Nemati said. “There may be some challenges in that some topics that are important for AP Biology are reduced or absent.”
According to Physics teacher Adam Fugal, the change was proposed due to the MCPS Board of Education (BOE) believing that many non-traditional science classes had become negligent in their testing efforts.
If this proposal passes, students will need to pass the new Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) beginning in 2018 in order to graduate. This assessment will contain many different sciences such as Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
“The new curriculum will reflect the interconnected nature of science as it is experienced in the real world,” MCPS Public Information Officer Derek Turner said.
Despite the revision, CHS science teachers have ideas to work with the program and mold it in order to benefit all students...

http://www.thechurchillobserver.com/uncategorized/2016/12/08/mcps-debates-cutting-science-courses/

8 comments:

  1. The inmates in charge of the asylum...

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  2. “The new curriculum will reflect the interconnected nature of science as it is experienced in the real world,” MCPS Public Information Officer Derek Turner said." Because Derek Turner has so much experience as a scientist and science teacher.

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  3. Would love to get comments from real scientists & science teachers on this.

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  4. No surprise here. No member of the Board of Education has any formal education (beyond high school) in science. It's a bunch of liberal arts weenies.

    Durso: Degree in American History with a minor in Education Philosophy from The Catholic University of America and a master’s degree from American University in Educational Administration.

    Docca: Bachelor’s degree in romance language and literature from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in romance language and literature from George Washington University (GWU), and a doctorate in Education Administration from GWU.

    Dixon: Bachelor’s degree in History from the American University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Loyola College.

    Evans: Degree in economics and finance from Tennessee State University. (At least she can do math and has credentials that indicate that she has analytical skills.)

    O'Neill: A degree in social science (sociology) from Southern Methodist University.

    Ortman-Fouse: Bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

    Smondrowski: Bachelor's degree in party planning from West Chester University.

    Guerci: Not even a high school graduate.

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    Replies
    1. Based on these glowing and diverse credentials it should be very windy in Rockville.

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    2. Check your facts. Smondrowski's resume says that she attended West Chester University. Nowhere does it say that she graduated.

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    3. I believe that her major implies that.

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  5. The MCPS Debate Club managed to get the STEAM out of the STEM initiative.

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