1. Brennon Sapp Larry Tibbs
2006/2007
Science Transformation
Brennon Sapp
Larry Tibbs

2. First Steps Lets look at the past Most of the school improving
According to Science Index
According to distribution of novice, apprentice, proficient, distinguished scores
According to ACT and SAT scores
Most schools around us improving
Most schools in our area moving ahead of us in science
Students NOT taking science classes
Counselors “sticking” kids in our classes when they have no where else to go
Every gap imaginable unchanged in science
Ask students about science
Dixie is moving to Schools of Study

3. 82.7
78.4
74.8

4. 2003
2004
2005
2006
Reading
Math
Science
Social Studies
Arts & Humanities
Pract. Living/Voc Stud
Writing
Total 74
77.2
79.8
81.3

14. Second Steps Let everyone know and ask the hard questions
Don’t allow any blame (especially toward the kids)
Don’t allow excuses
Review the new core content
Entertain and explore any and every option your team can come up with
Move forward with or without the “naysayers”

15. --Slides we used with our teachers--
Why?
No Blame
No Excuses
We have to try something new—What we are doing is NOT working!
Kids are different each and every year, is our teaching?
We have more and more responsibility, are you helping students with more and more?
--Slides we used with our teachers--

16. --Slides we used with our teachers--
Why?
No Blame
We have to try something new—What we are doing is NOT working
What does the data indicate?
Life Science needs the most improvement (it is also the major focus on the new core content)
Open responses produce to many 0’s & 1’s
--Slides we used with our teachers--

17. What Can We Do? & What Did We Do?

18. Our Conclusions
Students don’t take science classes because they are not interested in science
Students do not score well on standardized test because
They don’t like science
They don’t take a lot of science
They may not be in science when they take the test
THEY DON’T THINK SCIENTIFICALLY
Much of tested science is more related to thinking than content
Students spend a lot of time repeating content our students have been exposed to in an earlier grade

19. Our Old Science Three Required Classes Electives
Biology (1 credit-freshman)
Earth/Space Science (1 credit)
Integrated Science (1 credit)
Electives
Chemistry (1 credit)
Anatomy & Physiology (1 credit)
Physics (1 credit)
Environmental Science (1 credit)
AP Chemistry (2 credits)
AP Biology (2 credits)

20. Science Now Three and a Half Credits Required Freshman Year
Scientific Investigations (½ credit)
Sophomore–Senior Years
at least one science per year
Core Life Science (½ credit)
Core Earth/Space Science (½ credit)
Core Physical Science (½ credit)
Elective Life Science (at least ½ credit)
Elective Earth/Space Science (at least ½ credit)
Elective Physical Science (at least ½ credit)

21. What Electives Should We Have
Ask the students where there interest lie
Ask the teachers where some of their passions lie
Scan the media for the more popular topics of the day (Forensics)
Survey the students
Write course descriptions
Find teachers willing to participate
Give others the old required classes

22. What Electives Do We Have?
Chemistry A & B
Anatomy A & B
Physics A & B
Environmental Science
Forensics
Zoology
Astronomy
Chemistry & Community
Oceanography/Marin Biology
Medical Science
Radio Technology
Horticulture
Geology
Meteorology
Anatomy for Artist
AP Chemistry
AP Biology

23. Now All We Have to do is Make it Work
The kids have responded!
These Classes are Full!
Now All We Have to do is Make it Work
Conferences—Externships
Resources—Professionals