Maryland Collaborative for Teacher Preparation
Methods Group
Trends assignment: Mathematics and Science Education Focus
Authors: J. Randy McGinnis (UMCP) and Tad Watanabe (TSU)
with practicing elementary teacher participation by Evelyn Nicks, N.
Forestville Elementary, and written contributions from Lois Williams (UMBC)
History of Scholarship:
A subset of the MCTP Methods Group, the Trends Group, was given the following
task:
Assignment:
i. Develop a list of resources for the topic. Encompass both math and
science/technology
Note: The topics given to the Trends Group to work on were objectives
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 and 6.1 that were generated by the Methods Group.
ii. Develop a list....of how trends are alike/different in mathematics and
science
iii. Develop a bank of strategies, moves, means for conveying the information
to our preservice students
Procedure:
The Trends Group divided task i. into mathematics and science education
sections. Tad Watanabe took leadership in preparing the mathematics education
section; Randy McGinnis took leadership in science education section. Evelyn
Nicks provided the authors with a practicing elementary teacher's perspective.
Tasks ii. and iii. were collectively worked on. A first draft of the Trends
Group document was presented to the Methods Group for review on July 25, 1994.
Subsequent written feedback from Lois Williams was incorporated into the
revision of task i., objective 2.1.
TASK I: DEVELOP A LIST OF RESOURCES FOR THE TOPIC. ENCOMPASS BOTH MATH AND
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY
2.1 Have knowledge of the fact that there are differences in the level of
mathematics and science performance and attitudes toward these subjects by
geographic region, by economic condition, by gender and by
race/ethnicity.
Mathematics Education Component:
The Mathematics Education community is keenly aware of the importance of the
existing gaps in student achievement. The following articles discuss many
issues related to mathematics learning of those groups that have traditionally
been under-represented.
The following articles can be found in Teaching and Learning Mathematics in
the 1990s: 1990 NCTM Yearbook (NCTM, 1990).
"Mathematics for All Americans" by Steen (pp.130-134)
"The Challenges of a Changing World for Mathematics Education" by Secada
(pp.135-143)
"Teaching Mathematics: A Feminist Perspective" by Damarin (pp.144-151)
"African-American Students and the Promise of the Curriculum and Evaluation
Standards" by Stiff (pp.152-158)
"Increasing the Achievement and Participation of Language Minority Students in
Mathematics Education" by Cuevas (pp.159-165)
"Cultural Power and Defining of School Mathematics: A Case Study" by Donovan
(pp.166-173)
Additional References:
"Nurturing At-Risk Youth in Math & Science: Curriculum
and Teaching Consideration" Randolf Tobias (1992)
"Opportunities, Achievement, and Choice: Women and Minority Students in Science
and Mathematics" by Oakes. In Review of Research in Education, 16,
1990.
Establishing a Research Base fir Science Education: Challenges, Trends, and
Recommendations (NSF, 1986)
Science Education Component:
In general, the prominent education reform documents advocate teacher
education programs to provide all prospective science teachers with knowledge
and experiences that prepare them to teach children of other cultures, races,
and social classes. "Science for all Americans" (Science for all
Americans,) "every student, every day, every science," (Scope, Sequence,
and Coordination) are slogans in the documents that acknowledge student
differences but advocate success and access in science for all. Standardized
testing on both the national level (in particular NAEP) and on the local level
(MSPAP) report science performance by student backgrounds. These data indicate
that there are differences in the level of mathematics and science performance
and attitudes toward these subjects by geographic region, by economic
condition, by gender and by race/ethnicity.
Selected References:
Allen, G. G., & Seumptewa, O. (1988). The need for strengthening Native
American science and mathematics education. Journal of College Science
Teaching, 55, 364-369.
Jacobowitz, T. (1983). Relationship of sex, achievement, and science
self-concept to the science career preferences of black students. Journal
of Research in Science Teaching, 27(7), 621-628.
Kahle, J. (1982). Factors affecting minority participation and success in
science. In R. E. Yager (Ed.), What research says to the science
teacher: (Vol. 4, pp. 80-95) Washington, DC: National Science Teachers
Association.
Oakes, J. (1990). Opportunities, achievement, and choice: Women and minority
students in science and mathematics. IN C. B. Cazden (Ed.), Review of
research in education: Volume 16 (pp. 153-221) Washington, DC: American
Education Research Association.
Rakow, S.J. (1985). Minority students in science: Perspectives from the
1980-1982 National Assessment in Science. Urban Education, 20(1),
103-113.
Additional Comments (contributed by Lois Williams, UMBC):
[International achievement comparisons]
In mathematics, among 10 countries testing 9-year-olds in the 1991
International Assessment of Educational Progress, Americans ranked ninth; among
15 countries testing 13-year-olds, 11 ranked significantly higher. U.S.
students did comparatively better in science: among 9-year-olds, only one
country ranked significantly higher, although among 13-year-olds, six ranked
higher.
[National achievement comparisons]
Among the 41 states and the District of Columbia which participated in the NAEP
1992 Trial State Assessment, Maryland 4th graders and 8th graders performed at
the average mathematics proficiency level. District of Columbia students had
the lowest average proficiency at both levels.
NAEP science results are not yet available by state, but results for a national
sample of 10th graders on a 1990 science test are presented by sex, with males
scoring higher than females; by race/ethnicity, with Asians scoring higher than
Whites and Whites scoring higher than Hispanics or Blacks; by socioeconomic
status...with high socioeconomic status students scoring higher than middle or
low. Virtually all achievement test scores at any grade level in mathematics
and science show a similar pattern of differences among subgroups, with the
exception of sex where at lower grades, females often score higher than
males.
[Maryland achievement comparisons]
Within Maryland, there are three measures of mathematics achievement and one of
science achievement. These measures are reported by school system (23 counties
and Baltimore City) in the annual Maryland School Performance Report, and by
schools in separate school system reports. The Maryland Functional Testing
Program tests basic competencies in reading, mathematics, writing, and
citizenship, and functional test results are reported as percentages of 9th
graders and 11th graders passing at the end of the year. A norm-referenced
assessment, the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS/4), is given in grades
3, 5 and 8, and results reported as median percentiles for reading
comprehension, language and mathematics. The Maryland School Performance
Assessment Program (MSPAP) is a performance-based assessment in reading,
mathematics, science and social studies given in grades 3, 5, and 8, and the
results reported as the percent of students scoring at Satisfactory and
Excellent levels.
Regional differences within Maryland are substantial. The state-wide average
Functional Mathematics Test passing rate in 1992-1993 for 9th graders was 79
percent, while the rate for Baltimore City was 48 percent and for Howard County
was 87 percent. For females, the rate was 80 percent. For males, the rate was
78 percent. The rate for White (not Hispanic origin) females was 90 percent,
while the rate for African American males was 64 percent. The 1992-93 8th grade
CTBS/4 mathematics median percentile for Maryland students was 49, for
Baltimore City students was 26, and for Howard County students was 72. A
Satisfactory score on the 1992 5th grade MSPAP science test was achieved by 34
percent of the students in Maryland, 10 percent in Baltimore City, and 54
percent in Howard County. Thirty-two percent of males achieved a Satisfactory
score with the rate for White males being 42 percent and the rate for African
American males being 11 percent. Mathematics and science achievement is
inversely related to wealth per pupil in the area. Achievement is directly
related to the percentage of students who are eligible for free and reduced
price meals: 28 percent of the students in Maryland, 68 percent of students in
Baltimore City, and 7 percent of students in Howard County are eligible.
References:
Digest of Education Statistics 1993, U.S. Department of Education,
Office of Educational Research and Improvement, National Center for Education
Statistics.
State Indicators of Science and Mathematics Education 1993, Council of
Chief State School Officers, State Education Assessment Center.
Maryland School Performance Report 1993, State and School Systems,
Maryland State Department of Education.
2.2 Have knowledge of the fact that there is considerable public
dissatisfaction with current levels of achievement in these subject
areas.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and The International
Evaluation Assessment (IEA) results of American students' performance on
standardized tests on mathematics and science have been widely reported. These
data indicate that the performance of American students on standardized tests
in mathematics and science is below desired outcomes both within the United
States and in comparison with students in other countries. A Nation at Risk
makes the argument that these data indicate our society is in grave danger
of losing its preeminence in science and technological innovation unless there
is dramatic improvement in students' performance in mathematics and science.
Selected References:
A Nation at Risk (1983)
IEA and NAEP reports
National Academies of Sciences and Engineering (1982)
National Science Board (1983)
Education Summit of 1990 reports in popular press
Underachieving Curriculum: Assessing U.S. School Mathematics from an
International Perspectives (McKnight et al., 1987)
Everybody Counts (NRC,1983)
A World of Differences: An International Assessment of Mathematics and
Science (1989)2.3 Can describe the current societal concerns about
school mathematics and science and the mathematics and science education
profession's responses (e.g., NCTM Curriculum, Teaching, and Assessment
Standards, NSES National Science Education Standards, NSTA's Scope, Sequence,
and Coordination Project, Project 2061) in terms of recommendations about
curriculum and teaching practices (e.g., impact of technology on desired
outcomes, increased opportunities for more students, the rationale for
integrating subjects).
Mathematics Education Component:
The most influential document in the field of mathematics education have been
the NCTM Standards series. These documents have clearly illustrated
what mathematics should be taught, how it should be taught, how students'
learning should be assessed, and how mathematics programs should be evaluated.
Other organizations, such as Mathematical Association of America, have also
published recommendations. However, they are in alignment with the NCTM's
recommendations. MAA's focus has been at college level.
Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM,
1989)
Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics (NCTM, 1991)
Assessment Standards (NCTM, Working Draft, 1994)
"Essential Mathematics for the 21st Century" National
Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (1988)
Core Curriculum (NCTM, 1991)
Algebra for Everyone
"Reshaping School Mathematics: A Philosophy and Framework for Curriculum"
Mathematical Sciences Education Board & National Research Council (1990)
"Telecommunications as a Tool for Educational Reform: Implementing the NCTM
Mathematics Standards" Report of a Conference of the Aspen Institute's
Communications and Society Program (1991)
Science Education Component:
Three organizations are in the vanguard of reform in science education. They
are the American Association for the Advancement of Science (Project 2061), the
National Academy of Sciences, through its National Research Council (National
Standards), and, to a lesser extend, the National Science Teachers Association
(Scope, Sequence, and Coordination). A common goal promoted by these
associations is that all students should become scientifically literate.
Differences exist among the associations, however, in type and extent of the
science content needed to achieve scientific literacy. A scientifically
literate person is defined as being familiar with: the nature of science and
how it is performed, the key components making up the body of scientific body
of knowledge, the human contexts of science--including science's reciprocal
development with technology. With this understanding about aspects of science,
the scientifically literate person can then better participate in personal
decision-making and in civic life.
Documents such as Science for All Americans, Benchmarks for Science
Literacy, National Science Education Standards: An enhanced
sampler, Scope, Sequence, and Coordination of Secondary School Science
all advocate dramatic changes in the teaching of science. Primarily, large
portions of content are suggested to be eliminated ("less is more") so that
more emphasis can be placed on students' sense making, translating, and placing
knowledge in a social, cultural, and historical context. Four aspects of good
teaching described in the documents are:
* choosing worthwhile scientific tasks
* orchestrating classroom discourse
* placing an emphasis on the classroom environment
* recognizing a need to increase knowledge and beliefs about science
Implications for teaching science include:
*using "hands-on, minds-on" activities
*investigating a few questions in depth as opposed to "covering" vast amounts
of science content in the abstract
*connecting school science with the everyday world of the student
*allowing students to share and test ideas with their classmates and
beyond.
Summaries of documents:
National Science Education Standards: An enhanced sampler Draft
(1993)
The National Science Education Standards project was started with funds from
the U.S. Department of Education. In the spring of 1991, the President of the
National Science Teachers Association wrote the Chair of the National Research
Council (NRC) and requested that he convene and coordinate a process with the
goal of creating science education standards, K-12. After much discussion, the
NRC agreed to take the lead in this matter. In 1992, a Chair's Advisory
Committee was formed, consisting of representatives of the National Science
Teachers Association, The American Association for the Advancement of Science,
American Association of Physics Teachers, American Chemical Society, Council
of State Science Supervisors, Earth Science Education Coalition, and the
National Association of Biology Teachers. This group participated in
identifying and recruiting CO-Directors of the staff and volunteers to serve on
an oversight committee and its three working groups, dealing with curriculum
standards, teaching standards, and assessment standards. The outline for the
standards is divided in three categories of grades (K-4), (5-8), and (9-12).
Project 2061: Benchmarks for Science Literacy (1993)
Benchmarks came about as a result of the success of Science For All
Americans (1989). In that document, a set of adult science literacy goals
were promulgated. In Benchmarks, a set of tools for meeting those goals
is presented. These goals are envisioned being used to guide science educators
who design K-12 curricula. Notably, Benchmarks integrates mathematics and
technology with a consideration of science. The twelve categories of
Benchmarks are:
* the nature of science
* the nature of mathematics
* the nature of technology
* the physical setting
* the living environment
* the human organism
* human society
* the designed world
* the mathematical world
* historical perspectives
* common themes
* habits of mind
Scope, Sequence, and Coordination (The Content Core) (1992)
This document was developed to guide science curricula designers. It was
funded by both the Department of Education and the National Science Foundation.
The primary innovation in curriculum design advocated in this document is to do
away with the layered cake curriculum in the secondary school (defined as
grades 6-12 in this document). Instead, a coherent science program that
included some science from every discipline in every year is promoted.
In addition, Dimensions of Learning (Marzaw et al. 1993), has played a
significant role locally.
2.4 Understand how changes in desired outcomes change the nature of
assessment and how changes in assessment
impact teaching. Explain the rationale for authentic/performance
assessment.
Mathematics Education Component:
The following documents address the rationales and/or needs for different types
of assessment process in "reformed" mathematics classrooms. Some also include
suggested assessment tasks.
NCTM Assessment Standards (Working Draft, 1994)
For Good Measure
Measuring What Counts: A Conceptual Guide for Mathematics Assessment
(NRC, 1993)
Measuring Up (MSEB/NRC, 1993)
Mathematics Assessment: Myths, Models, Good Questions, and Practical
Suggestions (Stenmark, 1991)
Assessment in the Mathematics Classroom: 1993 NCTM Yearbook
Science Education Component:
Sources:
National Science Education Standards, Headline Summary, Feb. 1994
Assessment tasks focus on these aspects of science important for students to
learn: ability to inquire, understand subject matter, use knowledge to solve
problems. and communicate about scientific ideas.
Assessment is to give equal attention to the assessment of opportunity to learn
as well as to student attainment. The design of the assessment process is
determined by the intended use of the data obtained.
Aldridge, B. (1992). Project on Scope, Sequence, and Coordination: A new
synthesis for improving science education. Journal of Science Education and
Technology, 1(1), 13-21.
Advocates the use of compact-disc interactive video for individual students to
be performance-assessed. System developed with a grant from the Department of
Education.
Maryland State Performance Assessment Program
Hermann, J. L., Aschbacher, P.R., & Winters, L. (1992). A practical
guide to alternative assessment. ASCD Publication.6.1 Know of
professional organizations (NCTM, NSTA, MCTM, MAST), benefits of membership,
use of professional
journals.
Mathematics Education Component:
Professional Science Education Organizations:
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Benefits of membership:
Annual national convention and several regional conventions.
Newsletter (NCTM News Bulletin, Student Math Notes)
Journals:
Teaching Children Mathematics (9 issues, September - May, for pre-K and
elementary grades)
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School (4 issues, Sept., Nov., Feb.,
Apr., for middle grades)
Mathematics Teacher (9 issues, September - May, for secondary grades)
Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (5 issues, Nov., Jan.,
Mar., May, July)
Membership and dues (as of August 1994):
Students, $22.50.
Regular, $45.
Dues include subscription to one journal. Additional subscriptions are $15
each.
Address:
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
1906 Association Drive
Reston, VA 22091-1593
Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM)
Benefits of membership:
Annual meeting (usually held in October)
Jouranl
The Banneker Banner (3 issues - Fall, Winter, and Spring)
Membership and dues (as of August 1994)
Student, $5
Regular, $10
Address:
Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics
405 East Lake Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21212
School Science and Mathematics Association
Benefits of membership
Annual meeting
Journal
School Science and Mathematics (8 issues, Oct. - May)
Membership and dues:
Students,
Regular, $30.
Address:
School Science and Mathematics Association
Curriculum and Foundation
Bloomsburg University
400 East Second St.
Bloomsburg, PA 17815-1301
Women and Mathematics Education
Benefits of membership:
Resource Bibliography
Newsletter (3 issues: Fall, Winter, and Summer)
Membership and dues:
Students: $5
Regular: $10
Dues are due in April of each year.
Address:
Women and Mathematics Education
c/o SummerMath
Mt. Holyoke College
302 Shatuck Hall
South Hadley, MA 01075
Association for Women in Mathematics
Benefits of membership:
The Association was founded in 1971 in Boston, MA. The purpose of the
association is to encourage women to study and to have active careers in the
mathematical sciences. Equal opportunity and the equal treatment of women in
the mathematical sciences are promoted.
Newsletter (bi-monthly)
Membership and dues:
Student: $8
Regular: $40
Address:
Dawn V. Wheeler
4114 Computer & Space Sciences Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-2461
Science Education Component:
Professional Science Education Organizations:
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Benefits of membership:
One national convention and three regional conventions
Newsletter (NSTA Reports!)
Journals (eleven issues per year)
Journals:
Elementary Level: Science and Children
Middle School Level: Science Scope
Secondary: The Science Teacher
College: The Journal of College Science Teaching
Membership and dues (as of July 1994):
Student, $22 per year (one journal)
Regular, $52 per year (one journal)
Address:
Member Services Department
National Science Teachers Association
1840 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22201-3000
Maryland Association of Science Teachers (MAST)
Benefits of membership:
Two conferences each year in Maryland (Fall and Spring; Spring conference is
only for K - 8)
Four issues of the journal
Journal:
The MAST Rapper
Membership and dues (as of July 1994):
Student rate: $3 per year
Regular: $10 per year (October 1 to September 30)
Address:
Karen Gurley
40 Trout Brook Circle
Reistertown, MD 21136
National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST)
Benefits of membership:
One national conference held each year (Alternates between meeting with AERA
and NSTA).
Ten issues of the journal per year
Journal:
The Journal of Research in Science Teaching
Membership and dues (as of July 1994):
Student (sponsored by member), $14 (no journal), $30 with journal
Regular, $74 per year
Address:
Dr. John Staver
Executive Secretary, NARST
Center for Science Education
Kansas State University
219 Bluemont Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-5313
Association for Multicultural Science Education (AMSE)
Benefits of membership:
Meets annually with NSTA
Occasional Newsletter
Newsletter:
The AMSE Newsletter
Membership and dues (as of July 1994):
$20 per year
Address:
Dr. Vallie Guthrie
Secretary-Treasurer
North Carolina A&T University
Mathematics and Science Education Center
217 Marteena Hall
Greensboro, NC 27411
Science Association for Persons with Disabilities
Benefits of membership:
Newsletter (Good Newsletter)
Journal
Journal (one per year)
Journal of Science for Persons With Disabilities
Membership and dues (as of July 1994):
$10 per year
Address:
Science Association for Persons with Disabilities
P.O. Box 17411
Boulder, CO 80308-0411