Improved Effectiveness Through Increased Cooperation American Geological Institute May 19-20, 2003 National Academy of Sciences Building “ Developing the.

Improved Effectiveness Through Increased Cooperation

American Geological Institute May 19-20, 2003National Academy of Sciences Building

“Developing the Earth Science Teacher Corps”

Robert W. Ridky Director’s Office U.S. Geological Survey

•School districts - 14,571

The K-12 Consumer Market

•Schools - 92,012

•K-12 Teachers - 2.9 million

•K-12 Enrollment - 46.9 million

•9-12 Enrollment - 13.1 million

•7-12 Teachers - 1.03 million

National Science Standards: “what students should know and be able to do ”

Earth SciencePhysical Science Life Science

“Now, for the first time in our nation’s history, we have a call to action, a dramatic call for change, and one that specifically states that all students, at all grade levels, should receive earth science instruction.” National Research Council

All Teachers in Mathematics and Science, Grades 9-12, 1990 to 1998

EARTH SCIENCE

1998 1990

18,241 13,425

Professor 6168

Assoc. Professor 2707

Asst. Professor 3145

Total 12,020

“there are severe shortages of certified science teachers... many states and districts are having difficulty hiring and assigning well-prepared teachers in the field of earth science.”

• Articles in Geotimes, Eos, GSA Today and other societal journals concerning importance of establishing earth science t.p. programs

• obtain and distribute to chairs state by state e.s. teacher certification requirements (including full range of alternative certification options now available

What we should do:

•obtain and distribute to chairs examples of t.p. programs that can serve as blueprints for a range of geoscience departments

•hold symposia and special sessions in conjunction with annual and regional meetings where “how to” models are presented

What we should do:

Survey of Geoscience Departments Earth Science Teacher Preparation Programs

410 surveys sent out 268 responses

Summary of Responses

   1. Does your department offer an e.s. teacher preparation program or track?

Yes – 144No – 116Pending/In Progress – 2

Comment – 4 No Comment – 2

A Small Workshop by Invitation May 16 & 17, 2003

 This workshop will bring together geoscience faculty, teachers, and members of schools of education to discuss how geoscience departments can assist in the development of the required number of well-trained Earth Science teachers.