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Texas Science Standards Receive a "C" Grade from the Fordham Institute
TEXAS SCIENCE STANDARDS RECEIVE A "C" GRADE FROM THE FORDHAM INSTITUTE | |
According to the Austin American Statesman, Texas received a failing grade for its science standards in 2005. This year, standards received a "C," which is average among other states. At the Houston Chron, arguments for the score being weak and positive are both presented. What do you think about the C score? Is it average or unacceptable? Let us know by commenting on Facebook or adding your opinion in the comments on www.statweb.org! Read more about the grading at My San Antonio. | |
NEW STUDY FOCUSES ON SCIENCE TEACHER SHORTAGE AND RETENTION | |
The Sid W. Richardson Foundation Forum has just released a report this week entitled 51 Math and Science Teachers in Texas: Motivating, Preparing, Supporting, and Retaining Math and Science Teachers in Texas High Schools. The report is a result of 5 years of interviews and meetings with a select group of math and science high school teachers located in four of the fastest-growing sectors of Texas. It chronicles the teachers' negative and positive experiences over 5 years of teaching. This report is available for PDF Download Here. | |
SUBMIT TEACHING ARTICLES FOR THE FEBRUARY STATELLITE NEWSLETTER! | |
There's still time to submit your best teaching tips, tricks, or lesson plans for the February STATellite. Just as teachers learn from each other at CAST, we'd like to offer a way for us to learn from each other throughout the new year. | |

Urgent: Adoption of New Science Instructional Materials - Action Needed
Do you want new science instructional materials?
Do you need up-to-date science content to teach students?
STAT (Science Teachers Association of Texas) President-Elect Sharon Kamas will be present at the upcoming The State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting on January 26th. See more details here.
During this meeting, the future adoption of instructional materials will be discussed. STAT has been fighting to get Science instructional materials at the top of the SBOE's adoption cycle. Some of our textbooks are between 8-14 years old: the time for action is now!
The new Science TEKS need to be supported by new instructional materials. If STAAR is based on our new Science TEKS, then we need new instructional materials to match these new Science TEKS.
Please take a moment and send an email to your State Board of Education member:
Find your SBOE representative by entering your home address here: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
Send an email addressed to your SBOE member to: SBOEsupport@tea.state.tx.us
Thank you for taking the time to help advance science education in Texas!

STAT Takes a Stand at the Capitol This Month
President Ross Ann Hill and President Elect Sharon Kamas
to Represent STAT at SBOE and House Public Education Committee Meetings
STAT (Science Teachers Association of Texas) President-Elect Sharon Kamas will be present at the upcoming SBOE meeting on January 26th. See more details here.
Both Kamas and President Ross Ann Hill will also represent STAT at the upcoming House of Representatives Public Education Committee meeting on January 23rd. The implementation of the new state assessment system (STAAR), and its "impact on students, instruction, teachers, and graduation or promotion rates" will be discussed. View more details here. They are also scheduled to meet with the Chief of Staff of Senator Kel Seliger, who has just been appointed by the Lt. Governor to the Math and Science Advisory Board.
If you have any recommendations on the above topics, or would like to attend the meeting, please contact president@statweb.org, or presidentelect@statweb.org.
Email your SBOE representative: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

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