Featured Speaker
Sandra West Moody, Ph.D.
Safety in the Science Lab and Field: Current Research
Thursday 3:45-5:00 PM, Ballroom E/F/G
Overcrowding is a major concern among science teachers and that concern is supported by the safety research. Find out what the research says about this and other issues that impact the effectiveness and safety of science instruction. A longitudinal study of safety in Texas science classrooms which began in 1989 and includes the latest 2007 study reveals patterns such as increasing class size and extracurricular duties, decreasing number and size of science labs being built, and decreased teacher certification standards, funding and administrative support for discipline. On the positive side more areas of safety such as increased number of nurses on campuses and more personal protection equipment are being provided. The positive and negative impact of NCLB on science safety and suggestions for state, district, school and teacher policy will be given.
