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CIMS
The Florida Space Grant Consortium is
participating in a statewide initiative to promote continuous
improvement in math, science, and technology education (MSTE)
in the state of Florida- CIMS. CIMS is a member of the National
Association of State Science and Math Coalitions (NASSMC).
The vision of CIMS is to achieve mathematical, scientific
and technological literacy of all citizens in the state of
Florida and to create a workforce that is prepared for the
increasingly complex technological requirements of the 21st
century. CIMS is drafting a strategic, comprehensive action
plan to strengthen standards-based MSTE in schools, colleges,
and universities in Florida. This action plan will take a
systemic, statewide approach to securing support, commitment,
and resources from all sectors.
The Florida Chapter of CIMS comprises
of volunteers from business and industry, the federal government
(NASA), the state legislature, the State University System
Board of Regents, the Florida Department of Education, the
Community College Board and school districts. FSGC is represented
by its Associate Director, Dr. Penny Haskins.CIMS seeks to
increase mathematical, scientific and technological literacy
of all Floridians and to improve the academic preparation
and education of students and teachers in order to develop
a workforce that is prepared for the increasingly complex
technological requirements of the 21st Century. It identifies
specific opportunities to strengthen standards-based, accountability
driven Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE)
at all levels of schooling. In 1999, CIMS was instrumental
in forming a new task force to completely redo the Science
and Mathematics Content Standards for Teachers and to allocate
funds for this purpose. CIMS also advocated a critical teacher
shortage for Mathematics and Science education. This paved
the way to instituting special scholarship funds being made
available to students seeking degrees in these fields. CIMS
also initiated and co-sponsored a survey of elementary school
teachers along with the Coalition for Science Literacy at
the University of South Florida (CSL) and the Suncoast Area
Center for Educational Enhancement (SACEE). Its purpose was
to ascertain the effect the introduction of high-stakes statewide
tests (i.e.FCAT) has had on the time devoted to science in
our elementary schools. District selection was made to ensure
representation of all size school districts from across the
state.Out of 1800 surveys disseminated to 52 schools, 73%
of the targeted schools participated (38 schools) with a 44%
teacher response rate (804 teachers). There was an even distribution
across grade levels (K-5). Survey results indicate:
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87 %
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devote less than 3 hours
to science every week. |
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34 %
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stated that time teaching
science has decreased within the last five years. |
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48 %
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indicated that they should
be teaching more science. |
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73 %
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received less than 5 hours
of science in-service during the last five years. |
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56 %
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said that undergraduate
courses prepared them poorly to teach the Sunshine State
Standards. |
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42 %
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were most comfortable teaching
life sciences; only 9% were comfortable teaching physical
sciences. |
This information is a vital component
of the case for more and better in-service in Science and
for better preparation
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