Supporters of the 22 December 1999 Science Education Petition
(as of 2/28/00)
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Scientists / Business leaders
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Neal Blue
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
General Atomics
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Andrew M. Sessler
Distinguished Senior Scientist
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Past President of the American Physical Society (until Dec 31, 1999;
then "Former President")
Member of the National Academy of Sciences
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James S. Langer
Department of Physics
University of California, Santa Barbara
Current President of the American Physical Society
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Moe H. Farsheed
CEO
MindFire Internet Solutions, Inc.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
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Dr. Isabel Hawkins
Senior Fellow
UC Berkeley
Space Sciences Laboratory
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Dr. Chris Hasegawa, Director
Institute for Earth Systems Science and Policy
California State University Monterey Bay
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Kendell A. Silveira
California State University at Monterey Bay
Earth Systems Science and Policy
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Ann H. McCormick, Ph.D. (Founder, the Learning Company)
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Susan Kanowith-Klein, Ph.D.
UCLA School of Medicine
Science Education Partnership
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Joy S. Frank, Ph.D
Professor of Medicine and Physiology
UCLA School of Medicine
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Jerry Pine
Prof. of Biophysics
Co-Director, Caltech Precollege Science Initiative
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Dr. Daniel M. Fernandez
California State University, Monterey Bay
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Janice Turner
Executive Director
Project Tomorrow
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Art Sussman, Ph.D.
WestEd
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Dr. Lawrence D. Woolf
Physicist, General Atomics
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I wholeheartedly support this resolution. As a trained chemist (BS, Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College), as a science educator for years (member State Advisory Committee on Elementary Education, member curriculum advisory council, Alameda County), and as a parent, I cannot help but be appalled by the current State Board position on science. This petition supports the proper approach to science curriculum materials to produce science-literate children in California. As a current employee of a high-tech company, I can tell you that students without an understanding of modern science are not considered employable.
Glenn Fisher
(current employment: Marketing, Apple Computer, Inc.)
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Christopher M. Gould
Professor of Physics & Astronomy,
University of Southern California, and
Former Chair, California State Science Fair
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Comer Johnson
Delta Education
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Wendell H Potter
Vice Chairperson
Department of Physics
Univ. of California, Davis
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Helen R. Quinn
Stanford Linear Accelerator
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Richard L. Kennard
Clinical Laboratory Scientist,Microbiologist,
High School Science teacher (Chemistry & Microbiology)
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Daniel Orange, Ph. D.
Research Associate - Dept. of Earth Sciences, U.C. Santa Cruz
Lecturer - Earth Systems Science and Policy, Cal State Monterey Bay.
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As a biophysical geographer, McLane High School science teacher (Fresno USD), Fresno Pacific University Professor, Wild Link-GLOBE-NASA trainer, professional member of AAAS, AMS, AAG, American Association of Avalanche Professionals, Association of National Park Rangers, and Society for Conservation Biology who sits on the Board of Directors of the 60-member group Sierra Nevada Alliance: I strongly object to the present CA so-called science standards that ignore AAAS' Project 2061, TIMMS and NSF guidellines, totally ignore biology, have a short-term backward perspective, and do not reflect current, long-term, forward thinking. I strongly support this petition.
Present standards do not acknowledge the US System of measurement (SI) as mandated by the Omnibus Trade Act of 1988 (subsequent to previous acts of 1866 and 1975). Our 4th and 8th grade students do okay on TIMMS. Our 12th graders fail miserably because we neither acknowledge nor objectively teach the US system of measurement. We talk standards, but we don't teach genuine standards. Whenever I attend a professional meeting (NSTA, CSTA, AAAS, AMS, AAG) when CA science standards are mentioned there is always a room full of muffled laughter. I support this petition!
Scott M. Kruse
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Kendall S. Powell
Graduate Research Scientist
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies
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I am writing in the strongest possible support of the 22 December Science Education Initiative. This is exactly the time when science education must be as innovative, hands-on, in-depth and contemporary as humanly possible. Without strength in science, the citizenry of California will not be in a position to make informed choices on the many business and social issues which will arise in the 21st Century. Moreover, the State will not be poised to take advantage and lead the many applications of scientific inquiry which will be the engine of economic vitality. I believe that this is an issue of the utmost importance to the future of California and I am fully in support of the initiative.
Webster K. Cavenee Ph.D.
Director, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
Professor, University of California-San Diego
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Although textbooks have a role in the educational process, every good teacher knows that hands on experience is what drives the message home. It is also vital for motivating students to learn more about science.
Elizabeth A. Gilpin, M.S.
(Former High School Mathematics and Physics Teacher)
Clinical Professor of Biostatistics
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
University of California, San Diego
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I write to express my strong support for the 22 December 1999 Science Education Petition. Given the enormous importance of K-12 science education in providing a foundation for our current technological advantage, having creative, innovative and exciting science curricula in 2000 and beyond is essential. I urge the California Legislature to favorably consider this Petition.
William Fenical, Ph.D.
Professor of Oceanography; University of California-San Diego
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Lynn Rothschild, Ph.D., F.L.S.
NASA AMES Research Center
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If California did nothing else than change to Benchmarks, science education would be advanced.
James Varnadore
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I am in support of appropriate standards for science education in California. In particular, I wish to endorse the Science Education Petition, which asks for such standards in California. The use of materials other than mandated textbooks is entirely appropriate, and will be extremely useful in the acquisition and retention of students' interest in science, leading to the continuance of the premier role of California in science-based innovation in the next century as it was in the last.
H. Jane Dyson, Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, La Jolla
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Nicholas R.J. Gascoigne, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Dept. of Immunology
The Scripps Research Institute
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Dennis R Burton, PhD
Professor, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla
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Curt Wittenberg, Ph.D ; Associate Professor
Dept. of Molecular Biology; The Scripps Research Institute
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Hands-on experience is the only way to convey the excitment and promise of science to this new generation of future scientists and engineers.
David S. Goodsell
Assistant Professor; The Scripps Research Institute
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As a parent of two elementary school age children (6 and 9) and a laboratory researcher in cell biology, I often explain the experiments I am doing to my children and have them help me with some simple experiments. I have found that hands-on experiments are an incredibly effective way to instruct them as well as excite them about science. There is no substitute for a combination of a knowledge-based curriculum with learning about the natural world via simple, hands-on experimental approaches.
Velia M. Fowler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Department of Cell Biology
The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla
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Stephanie Bremond, Dept. of Social Work
University of California, San Diego Medical Center
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Kathryn L. Crossin, Ph.D.
Department of Neurobiology
The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla
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Carol Orton
Vice President, Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation
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Saqib Mian
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As a parent of two children in California schools, I feel that it is important to improve the quality of science education that they receive. Certainly this will be aided by the adoption of the standards and hands-on instruction advocated by the Science Education Petition. As a scientist, father, and voter, I urge the State Legislature to adopt this petition.
Gary M. Bokoch, Ph.D.
Professor; Department of Immunology
The Scripps Research Institute; La Jolla
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Laurel Savino
Grants Officer, Education
California Academy of Sciences
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Marcus Eriksen
Founder of Museum Works, a traveling natural history museum serving LA schools, and graduate student in the Rossier School of Education, USC.
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Susie Laurenson
Vice President, Operations
Elements Wellness
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As a rule, poor teachers without much imagination stick to the textbook, good teachers and especially young ones, who have more imagination in trying to teach concepts as opposed to facts will need additional sources from which to teach.
Maarten J. Chrispeels
Professor of Biology, UCSD
Member, National Academy of Sciences
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As a parent, I certainly hope my children will receive high quality, rigorous and accurate science education. Without such education they will be at a disadvantage growing up in the 21st century."
Michael Karin
Professor of Pharmacology, UCSD
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Peter E. Wright
Professor and Chairman
Department of Molecular Biology
The Scripps Research Institute
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I urge the state legislature to consider the opinions of scientists in the state in choosing a science curriculum for the public schools.
Steven A. Wasserman, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology, UCSD
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I would like to voice my strong support of hands-on, enquiry-based science programs in our schools. Without this opportunity 25 years ago, I would not have pursued my interests in science and probably would have followed a much different path.
Manoj Monga, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery/Urology
UCSD
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Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, M.D.
Professor and Chief, Division of Epidemiology
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine
UCSD School of Medicine
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Bernard M. Babior, M.D., Ph.D.
The Scripps Research Institute
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Deborah Wingard, Ph.D.
Professor of Epidemiology, UCSD
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I think it is absurd not to use tested and validated classroom supplements approved by the National Science Foundation. Providing materials that have not gone such thorough scrutiny is wasteful of California tax dollars and places my children at risk.
Jeffrey D. Esko, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Associate Director, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, UCSD
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This is no time to revert to closed mindedness in science education not is it time to settle for less than the best education that we can give our children. Once they are well educated they will be able to make up their own minds what to believe or not believe. Please add my name loud and clear.
Peter S. Tobias
Associate Professor
Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute
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Jonathan Kaye, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Immunology, The Scripps Research Institute
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In this era of increasing reliance on scientific literacy it is essential that the State of California recognize the value of peer-reviewed materials which mirror the basis of good scientific inquiry. Standards adopted by leadership groups like the NAS and AAAS represent the consensus of many of the best minds in science (a relatively large fraction of who work in California). Moreover, those of us who actively teach science at advanced levels realize that media beyond textbooks methods can be particularly valuable in demonstrating scientific concepts. Therefore I feel strongly compelled to join you in calling for the changes listed in this petition."
Robert D. Langer, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine
University of California, San Diego
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I am a scientist who has been working closely with school districts that have implemented hands-on, enquiry-based science programs. These programs provide outstanding science education for elementary school children, and I strongly urge adoption of state standards such that school districts can continue to use and implement these programs.
Dawne M. Page, Ph. D.
Assistant Research Biologist
Dept. of Biology and the Cancer Center, UCSD
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Gerry Boss, M.D.
Professor of Medicine, UCSD
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Frederic Bushman
Associate Professor, Infectious Disease Laboratory
Salk Institute
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Ann Feeney, Ph.D.
Department of Immunology
The Scripps Research Institute
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Patricia M. Laurenson, Ph.D.
Lecturer, UCSD Department of Biology
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I believe it is important for children to have hands-on science programs in school. Inquiry based science programs are important in developing an understanding of the natural world and in encouraging children to problem solve. Learning should be interesting and children usually respond well to a hands-on approach, possibly retaining more of the information presented. I hope the legislature will reconsider the science standards and to allow schools to have waivers so that they can keep their hands-on science programs.
Lesley Ellies
Assistant Research Cell Biologist, UCSD
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Mark Myers, Ph.D.
U.C. San Diego Department of Psychiatry
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Helen Tighe, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of California, San Diego
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Laura Laurenson Foster
President
Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation
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I feel that it is very important for young adults to have a good science education that involves both book-learning as well as hands-on experience. Science is not an easy subject to learn whether it be biology, chemistry, or physics; one cannot fully understand the subject matter based on what is written in words. Science demands application! This is what life is all about. I feel that we would really be doing a disservice to our youths. I can only tell you that I relished every single dissection, science project, and science field that I had the chance to partake in during middle and high school. My experiences helped shaped my views about science and lead me to choose science as a career.
Tiffany Lam
Staff Research Associate, Biology, UCSD
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It is my belief that students in the state of California deserve the best science education available, and the Science Education Petition is a good step in that direction.
Par C. Towb
My scientific affiliation is as a postdoctoral fellow in the department of biology at UCSD.
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Rachel Soloff,
Postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, San Diego Cancer Center
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Our children deserve the best science education available and the public schools should strive to provide this.
Sherry Kempin
Staff Research Associate, Department of Biology, UCSD
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Isabelle Kay
Natural Reserve System
Dept. of Biology, UCSD
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Rinda Wardle
UCSD Biology Graduate Student
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Carolyn Kelley
Graduate Student, UCSD, Biology
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My name is Carl Pennypacker. I am employed by the Space Sciences Lab, University of California at Berkeley. A project I started and am a collaborator on, "The Supernova Cosmology Project," was awarded "Science Breakthrough of the Year" by Science Magazine. I also lead the "Hands-On Universe Project," which enables students to request and use professional grade astronomy images over the Internet to learn science, math, technology, and inspiration. This project would almost certainly be banned from California schools if the standards are strictly implemented. (see http://hou.lbl.gov for information on HOU).
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Laurie Smith
Director of Projects & Programs
Project Tomorrow
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I am appalled at California's current position on this matter.
Monte Nichols
Aleph Enterprises
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Effective science education requires hands-on learning and supplementation of textbooks with activities and laboratories that demonstrate the principles of scientific methods of inquiry. Do not put our children at a disadvantage in the new millennium.
Barbara A. Cohn, Ph.D
Epidemiologist
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Sidney Karin, Ph.D., P.E.
Director, National Partnership For Advanced Computational Infrastructure
San Diego Supercomputer Center
Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
University of California, San Diego
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As a leading manufacturer of clinical diagnostics and life science research systems, Beckman Coulter supports science education in all our plant communities. In California, we have facilities in San Diego, Carlsbad, Brea, Fullerton, Porterville and Palo Alto. We are concerned that students in California elementary through high schools do not receive enough science education. We must often look outside California for recruitment, and we urge you to include science programs that work into the new California Science Standards. As members of the California science, education, and business community, we are committed to quality K-12 science education for all students. Therefore, we support the 22 December 1999 Science Education Petition.
Robert S. Matson, Ph.D.
Senior Staff Scientist; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Michael H. Simonian, Ph.D.
Senior Staff Scientist; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Cynthia R. Blessum, M.A.
Senior Staff Scientist, Diagnostics Development Center; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Timothy R. Evans, B.S. ME Product Development Manager; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Stephen L. Pentoney, Ph.D.
Principal Staff Scientist; Manager, Chemistry Department
Advanced Technology Center; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Stephanie D. Yancey, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Martin F. Siaw, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist, Advanced Technology Center; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Chandra P. Jain, M.Sc./M.A.
Manager - Chemistry; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Steven Wolf, M.S.
Project Scientist; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Mary S. Royston, Ph.D.
Principal Software Engineer; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Mark D. Dobbs, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist; Bioresearch Systems Development Center; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Keith W. Roby, B.S.
Senior Research Scientist; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Michael L. Bell, M.S.
Senior Staff Engineer; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Brian D. Peterson, B.S. PE
Principal Mechanical Engineer; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Elke Eastman
Manager, Community Affairs; Beckman Coulter, Inc.
Board of Directors, Project Tomorrow
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Fred Hoppe
Engineer, Agilent Technologies
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Barbara Ransom
Scientist; Scripps Institute of Oceanography
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As a retired business executive I have always been astounded by our lack of science education in our schools.
Charles P. Laurenson
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Tammy L. Cobos
Parent, Central School District, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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Science Educators
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I have worked 20 years to help teachers learn effective science teaching techniques at proper developmental levels. The Standards, as they currently read, have put me back to day one.
JoAnn Hatchman, Ed.D
Associate Professor
Department of Teacher Education
California State University, Hayward
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Please add my name to the petition protesting the CA science standards. They would undo years of hard work and millions of dollars of investment in curricular materials and professional development that schools in the greater Los Angeles area have put into aligning curriculum and instructional practices with national standards.
Nonnie Korten
Past President, Greater Los Angeles Teachers Science Association
Science Resource Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District
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William F. McComas, Ph.D.
Director, Center to Advance Science Education
University of Southern California
Rossier School of Education
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Richard J. Shavelson
I. James Quillen Dean
School of Education
Professor of Education
Professor of Psychology
Stanford University
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Prof. J. M. Atkin
Chair of the Committee on Science Education K-12 at the National Research Council (National Academy of Science).
Center for Educational Research at Stanford (CERAS)
Stanford University
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I too wish to add my name to the petition rejecting the current version of the Science Standards and the mandate to adopt only those curriculum materials that support them. Since receiving my Ed.D. in Science Ed at Teachers College, Columbia University, I have dedicated myself to supporting teachers in their efforts to meet the Science Education needs of children in other states that have standards: Colorado and New Jersey in particular. By comparison, the standards of California constitute a seemingly endless list of topics to be covered in contradiction to the spirit and intentions of the NSF and the National Science Education Standards.
Mark R. O'Shea
Director, Teacher Education
California State U. - Monterey Bay
.
I was a high school science teacher at Piedmont Hills High School in San Jose for thirteen years and was saddened to see the almost 180-degree reversal of standards during the past couple of years. I note that many other states, such as KY, OH, AL, SC, NY, TN, GA and MI have completely endorsed the spirit and content of the NSES and Benchmarks, as California originally had done.
William H. Leonard
Professor of Education and Biology
Clemson University
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It is essential that we provide schools with developmentally appropriate, classroom tested curriculum materials for science education.
Cynthia Stephens
Mathematics Educator
(former Mathematics Coordinator for schools in Massachusetts; now a CA resident and parent)
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James E. Marshall, Ph.D.
Professor of Science Education
California State University, Fresno
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Bonnie J. Brunkhorst, Ph.D.
Department of Geological Sciences, and
Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
California State University San Bernardino
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Herbert K. Brunkhorst, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
Professor of Science Education & Biology
California State University, San Bernardino
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Lisa M. Nyberg, Ph.D.
Professor of Elementary Science Methods
California State University Fresno
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Chris Holle
Science Coordinator
LAUSD
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Iris M. Riggs
Associate Dean,
Teacher Education Department of Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education
California State University, San Bernardino
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David M. Andrews, Professor
Biology and Science Education
California State University Fresno
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Nancy Taylor
Science Coordinator
San Diego County Office of Education
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Dr. Brad Huff
Science Coordinator, Fresno County Office of Education
Executive Director, Central California Science Teachers Association
Chair, California Curriculum Correlating Council
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Debi Pitta
Director of Instructional Support
Placer County Office of Education
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Jerry D. Valadez
K-12 Science Coordinator
Fresno Unified School District
Director Region F, National Science Education Leadership Association (NSELA)
President-Elect, Central California Science Education Leadership Association (CCSELA)
Co-PI, Science and Mathematics Preservice Partnership Program (SMP3)
Co-Director, Central Valley Science Project (CVSP)
Co-Director, Fresno Collaborative for Excellence in Teacher Preparation
(FCETP)
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Anne Santer
Mathematics/Science Coordinator
Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office
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Judie Kirkhart
Fresno Unified School District
Center for Advanced Research and Technology
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David R. Stronck, Ph.D.
Professor of Science Education
California State University, Hayward
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Dave Williams, President
Central California Science Education Leadership Association (CCSELA)
Education Director, City of Fresno Water Conservation
Coordinator, Fresno Regional GLOBE Program Training Center
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I and my wife support the December 22, 1999 science education petition (we strongly believe that the legal obligation to recognize schools and districts who create standards that are different from those adopted by the state provides a legal foundation that MANDATES the use of waivers).
Helen Logan Hays
Teacher, grades 4-5; Captain Cooper Elementary School; Big Sur, California
(member, 1990 California Science Curriculum Framework and Criteria Committee)
Scott Hays
Staff Developer
Language Acquisition in Science Education for Rural Schools (LASERS)
(member, 1990 California Science Curriculum Framework and Criteria Committee)
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Diana Y. Takenaga-Taga
Past President of the Greater Los Angeles Science Teachers' Association (GLATSA)
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Pris Brutlag, Former Director and Staff Developer
California Science Project for Inland Northern California
Middle School Science Teacher
Parsons Junior High
Redding, California
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Bob Baratta-Lorton
Center for Innovation in Education
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Dorothy J.T. Terman, Ph.D
Curriculum Coordinator, Irvine Unified School District
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Joseph Jimenez
Science Instructional Consultant
Tulare County Office of Education
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Kendall Zoller
7-12 Science Curriculum Specialist, San Juan Unified School District
National Academy for Science Education Leadership Fellow
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Chris Holle
Science Coordinator
Los Angeles Systemic Initiative and
Los Angeles Unified School District
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Erin J. Strauss
Elementary Programs Coordinator
Science & Health Education Partnership
University of California, San Francisco
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Name withheld by request
Orange County
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Carol A. Sevilla
Senior Artist
FOSS/CML
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California
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Rog Lucido
Center for Advanced Research and Technology
(a joint effort of Clovis and Fresno Unified School Districts )
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Tom Smithson, Ph.D.
Director
SCATS (Schools and Colleges for Advancing the Teaching of Science) Center
California State University, Sacramento
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Joseph D. Mahood
Science Curriculum Coordinator
San Mateo Union High School District
Region 2 Director, CSTA
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Patricia Seawell
President, Bay Area Biotechnology Education Consortium
Biotechnician/Educator, Gene Connection
San Mateo County Biotechnology Education Partnership
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Stephen C. Sesko, Ph. D.
Special Assistant to the STEP Director
Science and Technology Education Program (STEP)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
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Karen Meisenheimer
Education Director
Environmental Volunteers
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Larry Lack
Regional Director
Greater SF Bay Area
K-12 Alliance (California's Science Professional Development Network)
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Kim Bess
Curriculum Coordinator, Vista Unified School District
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The waiver process mentioned in the petition should be supported by Board members who perceive the need for parental choice. If State Standards set guideposts for every District to meet or exceed, who best to consider, ultimately, the instructional programs and materials to provide schools than the community which will gain or suffer from the degree of students' achievement towards these standards? If parent representatives on local school governance committees were prevented from considering materials other than those adopted by the State, who will have tied the hands of the public and the agencies which serve them? Informed consumers of public education are also powerful advocates for the children they entrust to the public schools. Choice implies responsibility - to offer no choice implies a lack of trust in the parents who collaborate with educators in the selection of District instructional materials.
I write as a public school educator who has served LAUSD students for 15 years as a mathematics teacher, as a board member and President of the Los Angeles City Teachers' Mathematics Association, as a Resource Teacher for secondary mathematics and as a member of many site committees which made purchasing decisions, alongside informed parent-representatives, regarding instructional materials.
Lisa Usher
San Pedro MST Center
Los Angeles Unified School District
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Robert Kovats
K-12 educator
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Tim Allen
Director of Instruction and Assessment
Lennox School District
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Dr. Sharon Parsons
Science Education Program
College Education
San Jose State University
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Debra Freitas
Science Coordinator
Mariposa County Unified School District
Mariposa, CA.
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As the director of an outdoor environmental education program which served more than 11,000 Central California children in 1999 with field trips to the San Joaquin River, classroom presentations about the river, and also served hundreds of teachers in local environmental education workshops, I fully support the Science Education Petition of December 22, 1999.
Saundra Plett, Education Director
The San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
Secretary/Treasurer, Central California Science Education Leaders Association
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Fred Goldberg
Professor of Physics
Director of CPU Project
Co-director of CIPS Project
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Michael Elsohn Ross, Educational Director, Yosemite Guides and author of over 25 science books for young people.
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Kathy I. Norman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Science Education
College of Education
California State University San Marcos
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Beth Larsen
Educational Consultant, LASI, LAUSD
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Kathy DiRanna
Co-Chair, California Science Education Advisory Committee
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Dr. Willa D. Ramsay
Science Education Consultant
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Sarah E. Quinn
Project Coordinator; Valle Imperial Project in Science (NSF funded LSC project)
Instructor for pre-service class "Teaching Science in the Elementary School"
San Diego State University - Imperial Valley campus
.
I am outraged that the legislature would dare to short-change our children's science education in this fashion. We must not allow this to happen!
Claude Mona
Physics Coordinator, Honors Achievement Workshop
Course Coordinator, Methods of Inquiry
UCSD
.
I am an involved parent in the Santa Rosa City School District and have first hand experience with the downside of textbook driven academic standards. The advocacy of the Science community in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Susan Gansel, parent of elementary school children
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Craig Strang
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California, Berkeley
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Jennifer Claesgens
Lawrence Hall of Science
Curriculum Developer with Living by Chemistry
University of California, Berkeley
.
Jacqueline Barber
Lawrence Hall of Science
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Dr. Kathy Long
Lawrence Hall of Science
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Susan K. Jagoda
Lawrence Hall of Science
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As a classroom science teacher for 14 years I have seen the difference that scientifically accurate and age-appropriate curricula make with students. This is especially important when working with diverse student populations. Curricula based on the National Science Standards have been researched, tested and proven to provide challenging scientific content, which in turn motivates children while learning science. These experiences encourage students to continue their studies in more complex and challenging science fields.
Teri Dannenberg
Lawrence Hall of Science
.
As a science teacher in Central School District in San Bernardino County I have provided my students with a rigorous, hands-on, age appropriate science curriculum, based on the National Science Education Standards. My students responded with high achievement, respect, and a growing interest and concern for the world around them and a desire for future science classes. This science education extended beyond the classroom and into Family Science Nights supported by families and community members eager to learn and become a part of a larger science community. I therefore support this petition so California students and their families can have an equal opportunity for an optimal science education.
Denise M. Soderlund
Lawrence Hall of Science
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Lincoln Bergman
Lawrence Hall of Science
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Bruce Stewart, Director of Student and Family Programs
Lawrence Hall of Science
UC Berkeley
.
To have an effective school science program teachers must have quality instructional tools to use in the classroom. These tools must be based on current research on how children think and learn, provide accurate, important, and appropriate science content, be field tested for effectiveness in a variety of settings, and be motivating for teachers and students. There are exemplary science materials available that would benefit California educators and students, but the current state policies preclude their use in classrooms. Rigid implementation of the California Science Standards should be reconsidered and a process should be put in place to recognize and support school and district plans that reflect the national science standards and the overall educational goals of their community.
Linda De Lucchi
Lawrence Hall of Science
.
I support science standards. Standards provide milestones in the academic careers of students. Standards focus the attention of educators. Standards establish a common understanding of educational goals throughout the community.
The process of developing standards for science education in California was hasty, political, and uninformed. The result is a policy that is regressive, fraught with scientific errors, shallow in its definition of what science is, and unrealistic. At a time when California should be building on a movement toward exciting, intelligent, humanistic science instruction, the state has adopted a policy that can only be implemented by following the failed path of the textbook.
It is my opinion that the instructional materials adoption process should be suspended, and the standards should be reviewed. The process of establishing science standards for the children of California should not be hasty, and should be informed by a more inclusive set of voices, including classroom teachers, science education coordinators, university science educators, cognitive researchers, scientists from academia and business, and education evaluators. Truly world-class standards that speak to all students and spark the imagination of all teachers would promote California once again to a position of national leadership.
Larry Malone
Science Curriculum Specialist
Lawrence Hall of Science; University of California, Berkeley
.
Cheryl L. Mason, Ph.D.
Science Education and Biology
Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education (CRMSE)
San Diego State University
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I come to this position of support through involvement with science education in California since the 1968-69 school year, mostly in grades 6-8. The most glaring revisions needed in this entire process are those concerning the adoption of appropriate materials, and age appropriate standards. Science education in California needs to turn out better thinkers and problem solvers, rather than better "Jeopardy" contestants.
Charles F. Abel
Science and Math Curriculum Coordinator
Cajon Valley Union School District
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I am Cathy Klinesteker, former Christa McAuliffe Fellow, 10 year project director/evaluator for an NSF project in Northern California, curriculum writer for National Parks as Classrooms, currently executive director of the Sacramento River Discovery Center in Red Bluff, CA, and I support the Dec. 22, 1999, Science Education petition.
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I believe the National Standards have been extensively researched based, practiced and shown excellent results in educating and motivating students to be scientific thinkers and knowledgeable about science.
Teri Marchese, Resource Teacher, Pajaro Valley Unified School District and Supervisor of Teacher Education, UCSC
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As a Human and Applied Physiologist (previous position was Senior Lecturer, South Bank University, London,UK) and current Manager of Youth and Adult Education Programs (Education Department) at California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, I wholeheartedly support the idea of 'hands-on' science based education. I sincerely hope the material being chosen by the state legislature allows for continued expansion in this area. It is imperative that such measures be taken and science is taught and approached in a more realistic and intuitive way. At California Academy of Sciences we approach all our science teaching in this 'hands-on' technique through our Junior Academy program which has been running for over 40 years, as well as our Family and Adult courses.
Nancy Laurenson, MSc
Department of Education; California Academy of Sciences
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As a professional development specialist working with teachers and students in local, ethnically diverse, low-performing, urban school districts, I am convinced that these students will be the most severely affected by the lack of access to high quality, extensively tested, developmentally appropriate instructional materials in science.
Lynn Barakos
Former Cancer Research Scientist (PCRI)
Currently Professional Development Specialist
Coordinator of Science Knowledge through Inquiry and Language Literacy (SKILL)
Lawrence Hall of Science
University of California at Berkeley
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Paul Killian
Science Coordinator ; ABC Unified School District; Cerritos, CA
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I write in support of the Science Education Petition that you have circulated. As a Human and Applied Physiologist (previous position was Senior Lecturer, South Bank University, London, UK) and current Manager of Youth and Adult Education Programs (Education Department) at California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, I wholeheartedly support the idea of 'hands-on' science based education. I sincerely hope the material being chosen by the state legislature allows for continued expansion in this area. It is imperative that such measures be taken and science is taught and approached in a more realistic and intuitive way. At California Academy of Sciences we approach all our science teaching in this 'hands-on' technique through our Junior Academy program which has been running for over 40 years, as well as our Family and Adult courses.
Nancy Laurenson, MSc
Dept. of Education; California Academy of Sciences
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I want to thank you for putting this petition forward. Too bad enough people didn't come forward before the new Math materials were chosen. Our school has no intention of using their newly adopted materials. We have been using Mathland, Interactive Math, and CPM for years and have had excellent results. Our school has an API of 816. We have been using FOSS kits at our school for many years. Our students are excited about science, and the "hands on" approach has been very successful. They do very well in high school science classes and many go on to study science in college. My daughter took two science classes each year in high school and was admitted to UC Davis to the School of Biological Sciences. My son graduated from UC Berkeley and earned his Ph.D. at the U Texas, Austin. He is now a professor of Zoology at U Nebraska, Lincoln with a heavy emphasis on research.. As a school board member and a parent, it has been proven to me that the hands on, interactive approach to science and mathematics is very engaging and that rote memorization is not the most effective means of retention or for gaining understanding. Children learn to problem solve by applying knowledge. They have the ability to investigate, experiment, research, and draw conclusions at a very young age. Students need a variety of tools to be successful. In our school, textbooks are only one of many resources, and we absolutely believe in DEPTH over BREADTH.
Cheryl Reynolds
Board of Trustees, Pine Ridge Elementary School District K-8
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Carol A. Balfe, Ph.D.
Science Education Consulting
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I want to add my name to the list of supporters of the petition and reiterate the sentiments within. I work with K-8 teachers all over California and have heard nothing but confusion and contempt for the newly adopted standards from the teachers with whom I
come in contact. I don't know if it helps to add yet another name from the Lawrence Hall of Science, but as a 25 year veteran of science education in this state I cannot in good conscience let this pass without my vote of support.
Roberta Dean
MARE Program; Lawrence Hall of Science
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Professors / Instructors
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Sharon Anderson
Ernesto Franco
Henrik Kibak
Swarup Wood
Instructors in Inquiry-Based Science courses for Pre-service teachers
Earth Systems Science and Policy
California State University Monterey Bay
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Dr. Laurie Edwards
Associate Professor of Education
St. Mary's College of California
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Dr. Michael Wiskerchen
Director, California Space Grant Consortium
Associate Director, California Space Institute
University of California, San Diego
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Alison Clarke-Stewart, Ph.D.,
Professor, Psychology and Social Behavior,
University of California-Irvine
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Roxane Cohen Silver, Ph.D.
Professor
Dept. of Psychology and Social Behavior
School of Social Ecology
University of California, Irvine
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Margaret R. Clark, PhD
Professor Emeritus, University of California, San Francisco
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Jacquelyn Herst
Instructor, Math and Science Methods
Mount St. Mary's College
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Michael Shea, PhD
Chair Department of Physics and Astronomy
CA State University Sacramento
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Dr. Annette Halpern
Associate Professor
Dept. of Biology
California State University, Bakersfield
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Dr. Robert Negrini, Chairman
Dept. of Physics and Geology
California State University, Bakersfield
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Dr. Linda Wells
Asst. Professor of Biology
CSU Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Hwy.
Bakersfield, CA 93311
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Dr. Ray Geigle, Dean
School of Arts and Sciences
California State University, Bakersfield
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Dr. Marla Iyasere
Liberal Studies Program Chair
Associate Dean, Arts and Sciences
California State University, Bakersfield
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Dr. Robert Horton
Dept. of Physics and Geology
California State University, Bakersfield
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Carl R. Kemnitz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry
California State University Bakersfield
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David S. Hinds, Chair
Department of Biology
California State University, Bakersfield
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David H. Ost, Professor
Department of Biology
California State University, Bakersfield
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Ted D. Murphy
Professor of Biology
Director, Facility for Animal Care and Treatment (FACT)
California State University, Bakersfield
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Rachel Jordan
Science Resource Teacher
Palo Alto Unified School District
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Thomas R. Post
Professor of Mathematics Education
University of Minnesota
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Rikk Kvitek
Associate Professor
Earth Systems Sciences and Policy
California State University Monterey Bay
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Robin Polito-Shuffer
Instructor, Math/Science Methods
National University, Los Angeles
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Dr. Edwin Andersen
Co PI MASP Project
(Systemic Initiative to promote NSF middle and secondary curricula)
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Arnie Cutler
Co PI MASP Project
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Randy K. Yerrick
Associate Professor
San Diego State University
North Education #90
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Wayne Beach, Ph. D.
Professor, School of Communication
San Diego State University
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Frank C. Jahn
Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District
California State University Fullerton
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Angelica M. Stacy, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
University of California, Berkeley
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Carolyn Krohn
St. Mary's College
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Nancy J. Pelaez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor; Department of Biological Science
California State University, Fullerton
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Krisstina Wilmoth
Colorado State University
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Teachers / Principals / Superintendents
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Since last Fall when these preposterous standards were revealed, I have been strongly opposed. As a veteran, distinguished science educator for 27 years, I applaud your courage and the courage of your colleagues (and mine) to initiate and circulate this much needed petition.
William E. Pence---AP Biology Instructor, California High School, San Ramon
1999 California NATIONAL State Teacher of the Year
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Domenica Altieri
Science Teacher, Fullerton Joint Union High School District
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I am a fourth grade teacher in the Coachella Valley Unified School District,
and have served as a K-8 Science Mentor
Jim Jones
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As a recognized teacher of 25 years, I will not be bullied into using materials that I do not believe in.
Jeff Self
4th Grade Teacher Eureka City Schools
1990 Elementary Presidential Award Recipient
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Ann Trautmann
Las Virgenes Unified School District
Science Mentor/Private Consultant
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George Crowder
5th grade teacher
Plasencia Math/Science/Technology Magnet
LAUSD
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George Fosselius
30 Year Veteran High School Science Teacher in Albany, California
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I am a high school science teacher in Siskiyou County and a member of the AAAS.
Steve Whitmore
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Dorothy H. Reardon (Science Teacher)
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Sue Boudreau,
Science Teacher 6-8th grade,
Orinda Intermediate School
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I am a 6th grade math/science educator with the Larkspur School District in Larkspur, CA.
Ted Stoeckley
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Aimee Yermish, science and math teacher
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Susan L Hernandez, 6th grade Science Teacher
Andrew Carnegie M.S.
Carson, Ca.
LAUSD
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Jennifer Johnson Science Teacher
Ygnacio Valley High School, Concord
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Dennis Doyle
Assistant Superintendent, Instructional Services and Support
Chula Vista Elementary School District
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Barbara Rosenthal
Teacher
North Monterey County Unified School District
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Jerry Kirkhart
Biology/Zoology Instructor
Fresno City College
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Michael Sixtus
Poseidon Academy of Marine Science and Technology
Mar Vista High School
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William E. Fobert
Science Teacher
Fernando Rivera School
Daly City
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Paula Yonke
3rd grade teacher
Target Science Representative
Independence Elementary
LAUSD
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Kay Gault
Vista Unified
Mission Meadows Elementary
3rd Grade
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I am a fourth grade teacher in Tracy, and come from North Dakota where the science curriculum presented is much more comprehensive, interesting, and developmentally appropriate. I hope that waivers become a thing of the near future.
Heather Borg
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I am a National Board Certified teacher and teach in the Los Angeles Unified School District. I am also the director of one of the largest educational Internet sites in the world: TEACHERS HELPING TEACHERS, (www.pacificnet.net/~mandel).
Dr. Scott Mandel
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As someone who left the biotech industry to teach at the high school level, I am appalled at the hubris of those who set California Science standards different than the National standards and who also mandate we teach with untested materials. It seems these people are demonstrating their lack of belief in the value of educational materials evaluation and have, because of the small emphasis on Hands-on activities in the standards, lost their sense of wonder at science itself which is most directly demonstrated in lab activities. How sad for them - and for our students who may suffer.
Judi Heitz
San Diego High School
Biotechnology
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Daniel Callahan, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Martinez Unified School District
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My name is Dennis Mitchell and I am the 8th grade science teacher at Evergreen Middle School. I am currently the 5-8 Educational Consultant for the Forestry Institute for Teachers (Project FIT), past staff developer for the SIRC (Science In Rural California) science project (1986-1995) and a past staff developer for CSP-INC (1995-1997).I am an avid supporter of developmentally appropriate science. I have trained teachers for the last 13 years in the use of appropriate methods for teaching science and I am very disappointed with the "new" science standards. I was the 1999 National Environmental Science Educator of the year.
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Stephanie Schneider
7th Grade Math and Science Teacher
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Kathleen Ryan Been
Biochemist
Palm Springs High School Science Teacher
Palm Springs Unified School District
K - 12 Science Alliance Staff Developer
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Jesse B. Kass
University of Southern California
South Whittier Intermediate School, South Whittier School District
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Dr. Gary Scott, Secondary Science Resource Teacher
Los Angeles Unified School District
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Walt Owen
Science Teacher
Riverside Unified School District
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Michelle Townsley, 4^th grade teacher President, Ventura County Reading Association Affiliate of California Reading Association Honor Council
Member of International Reading Association
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Kathleen S. Iverson
28 year veteran science teacher Westminster High School
Curriculum Specialist Huntington Beach Union High School District
Former Westminster School District Board of Trustees Member
Parent of a High School Student
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The State Board needs to provide districts with flexibility and allow waivers in order to sustain high quality programs.
Dr. Michael Klentschy
Superintendent of Schools
El Centro School District
PI/Valle Imperial Project in Science
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I am an elementary school teacher in LAUSD
Simi Storm
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Nellie Rios-Parra
District Resource Teacher
Lennox School District
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Charla Miller
Science Specialist at Jackson Avenue Elementary, Livermore Valley Joint Unified
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Mike Rourke
Vocational Agriculture Instructor
Trinity High School
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Kelly Delaney
8th Grade Science Teacher
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Michael Antrim
Secondary Science Teacher
Woodbridge High School
Irvine Unified Schools
Irvine, California
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Carol Ariza
6th Grade Science Teacher
Mark Twain Middle School
Los Angeles Unified School District
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Thomas Russell
Biologist/Science Teacher
LAUSD
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Our present State Science Standards are totally out of sync with the national science standards and with current research on learning at various grade levels. I am the science department chairperson at Encina High School in San Juan USD.
Eric Gregory
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The State Science Standards have no relevance to what's important to the students. They took out all that's interesting to the kids.
Stacy Shoemaker - Biology teacher
Encina High School in San Juan USD
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Don Brodnansky - Biology
Marsha Gillum - Biology & Physical Science
Sara Turner - Chemistry
Encina High School in San Juan USD
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Pete Jarrad, Math Chair
Portage Northern H.S.; Portage MI
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Chris Long (Science teacher)
Marina High School, Huntington Beach
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I am a high school Asst. Principal, science administrator, and former high school science teacher.
Mike Tague
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Alexa Stuart, teacher and science writer
Ulloa School
San Francisco, CA
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I have been a science educator for over 16 years.
Joanne Hoyt
Science and Math Division Chair
Woodlake Union High School
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Cris Ferguson
Chula Vista Elementary School District; Casillas School
Third grade (District Lead Science Teacher)
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Thank you for your efforts and support in a situation that at best is unmanageable. My name is Scott Lane and I am a 7th and 8th grade science teacher in Weaverville CA. I worked with a consortium of north state teachers from Trinity, Tehama and other counties trying to write local standards which are usable but parallel CA's standards closely enough to fulfill our obligations to the state. It was not an easy or highly successful endeavor and I don't believe any of those who took part are pleased with the final results. The CA science standards are age inappropriate, demand a detail-factoid version of knowledge that has little real world application and create a gap between the future and years of hard work and research on hands on science education. If there is anything that I may do personally to aid you in the effort to nullify the existing standards, or more importantly in the following efforts to create reasonable and effective new standards, please let me know. Our children will pay for our mistakes!
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Lori Stokes
Pioneer High School Math Teacher & MESA advisor
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My Name is Lee Gately. I teach science at Pacoima Middle School in the LAUSD. I have been teaching for 13 years. I am a mentor teacher and I have worked with LASI (USI) to help improve instruction in our urban schools. In the 1996/1997 school year, I was recognized as the "middle school science teacher of the year" by the Los Angeles science teachers association. I support the 22 December 1999 Science Education Petition.Along with my colleagues, Judith Mc Causland, Joe Blurton, Deena Merrill, Elissa Wingate, Abigail Abbott, Jesus Beruman, Freda Fatah, Javier Perez, Bonnie Hood, and Theresa Shimizu. I feel that the leadership in California has lost touch with what is going on in our classrooms today. At our school, we plead for the state to adopt developmentally appropriate standards and classroom appropriate kit based/hands-on materials. I was recently informed by a former teacher, now an instructional advisor, that the FOSS materials would not be made available for school adoption. We've been using the FOSS system from the previous adoption since it was piloted. It is rich and accessible. We believe in it greatly, and we've been in correspondence with FOSS as they are developing a new middle school program. We should have more to work with, not less. The state is ignorant about what facilities and in what conditions we are asked to teach. They have demonstrated their ignorance in their method of choosing science standards.
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I am so thankful that you have put this together and have so excellently articulated the problems we're faced with in teaching science today.  Frankly, I've been entertaining quitting and going back into industry because of it (this is a 2nd career for me!).  I joined CCSTA, and am now the acting secretary to try and have some input- this is great.
Joyce Aston, Kastner 8th grade science, lead tech support teacher
Clovis Unified School District
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I support the December 22 1999 petition for the revision of the new Science Education Standards. They need to be more realistic, take into account sound educational theory, and build on the national efforts of the past decade.
Tom Cormack
Science Department Chair
Kern Valley High School
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John Lord
Paideia
Santa Monica
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Ken Bone
Del Mar High School; San Jose
1998 - 99 Teacher of the Year, 1999 - 2000 Mentor Teacher
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Geraldine O'Brien
Biology Teacher and Science Department Chairperson
Sweetwater High School
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Carlos Cabana
San Lorenzo HS
San Lorenzo, CA
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Sanford Scholton
8th grade science teacher
Palos Verdes Intermediate School
Palos Verdes Peninsula USD
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Thomas C. Edholm and Mary Scully Edholm
Co Presidents of California Biology Education Association
High School Science Teachers (Biology, Chemistry, Physiology, Zoology, AP Biology)
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I am affiliated with the Environmental Volunteers, a non-profit organization teaching natural science in the elementary schools and geology professor at San Jose State University.
Dr. Barbara Callison
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Carie Jackson
Science teacher, department chair, National Board Certified Science teacher
Gompers Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District
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Nicole Nunes, Ph.D.
Science Department Head
Chemistry Teacher
Thurgood Marshall Academic High School
San Francisco, CA
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Marian Murphy-Shaw
Science and Math teacher, grades 5-12, 10 years
Teacher on Special Assignment to Siskiyou COE
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Janet Smith, Mathematics/Science Resource Teacher
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Irene C. Swanson
Resource Teacher, Los Angeles Unified School District
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Bettina Pierce
Elementary Science Specialist
Irvine Unified School District
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I agree with the petition to "upgrade" and "enlighten" the current science standards as they address the issues of content, age-appropriate expectations, and support materials.
Kitty Carton
Science department co-chair
Deer Valley high school, Antioch
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Andres Marti
Math Department Chair
Arroyo High School, San Lorenzo
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As a former teacher's aide for a 3rd grade teacher, I was in awe of her science curriculum based on the National Science Education Standards. She had the children's attention throughout the science class time. One of those children, was my son. He came away from his class with a better understand of his environment and true concern for the world around him. To accept the current California Science Standards curriculum now would be a disservice to our children and community.
Gina Yamashita
Cal Poly Pomona
Student Outreach And Recruitment
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In my view, we are no longer teaching science, but language arts with science vocabulary words. Where will our children receive science experiences if not in the classroom?
Kathy Albrecht
third grade teacher; Dry Creek School District
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Nona Reimer,
Orange County CREEC Network Coordinator
John Malcom Elementary School; Laguna Niguel
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Patricia Caffrey
Chemistry Teacher, Science Dept. Chair, Fresno High School,
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Martha Zinn
Biology Teacher, Fresno High School, Fresno, California
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Patricia Compeau
Mark Ewoldsen, Ph.D.
Mike Gilliland
Shannon Goods
Tamar Hill
Margaret Holland
Jill Waters
Richard Weld
Laura Wheeler
Science Faculty at La Canada High School
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Don Dwelle, Science Teacher, Fresno High School, Fresno, CA
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Jennifer Hoffman, Science Teacher, Fresno High School, Fresno, CA
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June Carey, AP Biology Teacher, Fresno High School, Fresno, CA
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Bruce Williford, Zoology Teacher, Fresno High School, Fresno, CA
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Debby McCann, Physics Teacher, Fresno High School, Fresno, CA
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Jennifer Nichols
Teacher - Aromas San Juan Unified School District
Staff Developer - LASERS NSF Local Systemic Change Project
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I support the Dec. 22, 1999 Science Petition that requires a better look at the new science standards.
Ulli Kummerow
Principal at Amesti Elem. School, PVUSD
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Karen A. Thompson
Willie Bell
Henry Wong
B. Ford
Aaron Stark
Monica May
Jennie Clark
Vickie L. Carter
Emiko Ogawa
Washington School, Oakland Unified School District
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Don McKenney
Curriculum and Instruction, Oakland Public Schools
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Dale Koistinen
Oakland Unified Science Coordinator
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Betsy Schultz
Chair of the Science Dept., Oakland Street Academy
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Richard Papp
Chair, Science Department, Skyline High
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Dan Fleming
Lynden Richmond
Early Evans
Victor O. Ezekno
Brittany Cunningham
Kathyrn Lieber
Adrian Contonente
Susan Cristanden
Bobera J. Lewis
John R. Sullivan
Gwen Watson
Michelle Page
Marquis Gordon
Edward Dunbar
Connie Branson
Stephanie Taymore
Marilee Simons
Jacquelyn Treese
Astrid Cheney
Raleigh McLemore
Charlotte L. Harrell
Laura Pesavento
Amy L. Salyer, M. Ed.
Amy Haruyama
Deborah Burns
Anne Stephenson
Brett Tankersley
Koren Fong
Megan Jones
Maria Lopez
Patricia Brooks
Janan Apaydin
Marilyn Wright
Meredith Gold
Louie Quach
Hector Espinosa
Oakland Unified School District Teachers
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Susan M. Harrison - Biology Teacher, Franklin High School, Stockton, California
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Sylvia A. Bello - Biology Teacher, Franklin High School, Stockton, California
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Robert Knudsen - Biology Teacher, Franklin High School, Stockton, California
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Kent Volbrecht - Biology Teacher, Science Dept. Chair, Franklin High School
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My name is Judi Hirsch and I am a Resource Specialist with the Oakland Unified School District.
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I am a middle school science teacher and education consultant, and also an instructor for pre-service teacher education credential programs.
Melody Randel, Pajaro Middle School, Watsonville
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Judy Sanregret
Elementary Teacher, Santa Rosa
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Melissa Wallace
Noreen Croyle
Elementary Teachers, Encinitas Unified School District
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Iris Miller
Sue Odell
Kathy Larson
Teachers, Weaverville Elementary School
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Based on our cumulative 47 years of teaching experience we abhor the current standards as they were adopted and feel attempts at implementing them will be an educational disaster for the students and the future of California.
Athalean Gee - Math Resource Teacher, Girl Power Program, Sweetwater Union HSD
Caryn Hoffman - Girl Power Counselor, Sweetwater UHSD
Nancy Stubbs - Girl Power Coordinator and Science Resource, Sweetwater UHSD
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I would like to add my name to the petition that calls us to rethink the California State Standards. The standards are not only vague in what they wish to be mastered, do not take into account the age appropriateness of subject matter, but have also eliminated many of our resources by changing the grade level that things are currently taught. Those of us who love and teach science have invested significant amounts of personal money on putting together great units that we are no longer suppose to teach.
Cherie Flint
Third Grade Teacher; Teacher Trainer for Mobile Science Lab