Blueprint for the Reform of Science Education

Author: China Popular Science Press
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-05-01
Features: The challenge of reforming the science education curriculum for grades K-12 (kindergarten to high school graduation) in the United States lies in understanding the entire education system. To gain a comprehensive view of this system, the American Association for the Advancement of Science's "2061 Project" commissioned experts to report on twelve major aspects of education. Blueprint for Science Education Reform is a summary of these reports, providing a unified starting point for teachers, parents, policymakers, and business leaders to explore the education system and its response to reforms. This study examines numerous topics, such as equity, teacher training evaluation, policy, funding, school organization, curriculum integration, families and communities, research, textbooks and teaching methods, higher education, and the business community, offering an overview of each aspect and numerous recommendations for future action. Extensive guidance on hundreds of resources, programs, and organizations related to each topic enriches Blueprint for Science Education Reform. The accompanying online blueprint website at http://project2061.aaas.org provides a way to learn more and offers opportunities for educators, policymakers, and parents to exchange ideas. The "2061 Project" has compiled such a wealth of material, providing new insights into how science education can adapt to the broader education system and how meaningful, lasting changes can be made. It seems that the Blueprint is far from a quick fix, and its short-term benefits can never be compared to its long-term significance. The Blueprint is dedicated to preparing today's children for life in the 21st century.