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A Decade of Action: Sustaining Global Competitiveness
BSCS and the NIH Office of Science Education present A Decade of Action: Sustaining Global Competitiveness, a 62-page synthesis of recommendations from business, industry, and government for the 21st-century workforce. This special publication is based on the 2005 three-day, "Science Education and the 21-century Workforce Conference."
In order to sustain the United State's position as a global competitor, our nation needs a vision, a first tactical response, and a strategic plan that outlines a decade of actions for reforming science and technology education. Although the need to change seems evident, the changes specifically implied for science and technology education for kindergarten through grade 12 must be clarified and addressed.
A Decade of Action synthesizes recommendations from 20 contemporary reports published by a variety of business and industry groups, government agencies, and professional organizations.
The material in this report is based on work supported by the Office of Science Education, National Institutes of Health. Click here to download the Full Report.
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Executive Summary |
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Part I: Introduction: What is the Problem?
What Signals are Business and Industry Sending to Education? |
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Part II: A Vision: What is the Solution?
What Should the Literate Citizen Know, Value, and Be Able to Do?
What Content is Important?
What Contexts are Important?
What Competencies are Important?
What Can Science and Technology Education Offer?
What are the Implications for Science and Technology Programs? |
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Part III: The Strategic Plan: A Decade of Action
Specifications for Strategic Actions
Initiating the Reform: Little Changes That May Have Big Effects
Bringing the Reform to Scale: Systemic Changes That Make a Difference
Sustaining the Reform: Building Local Capacity to Achieve a National Purpose
Evaluating the Reform: Monitoring and Adjusting to Change |
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Part IV: Roles, Responsibilities, and Recommendations for Leaders
To Business Leaders
To Education Leaders
To Funders |
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Part V: A Conclusion and a Beginning
Appendix A: The Expert Panel
Appendix B: The Synthesis Process
Appendix C: School District Needs Assessments
References |
More about the workforce conference:
The three-day working conference held in 2005 consisted of analyses of 12 national reports concerning the United States' position in the competitive global marketplace. Leaders representing business, industry, and education participated in the conference, with focused discussions aimed at achieving three goals:
- identifying common patterns and recommendations for science education
- identifying any unique recommendations for specific aspects of science education (e.g., problem solving, inquiry)
- describing recommendations based on the needs for areas such as college preparation, workforce requirements, and military qualifications
Conference participants included Susan Sclafani, Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education (retired), U.S. Department of Education; Bruce Fuchs, Director, Office of Science Education, National Institutes of Health; Lynn Nixon, Global Education Program Manager, Agilent Technologies Foundation; Angelo Collins, Executive Director, Knowles Science Teaching Foundation; Charles Coble, Vice President, Education Commission of the States; Kim Bess, Director, Science & Educational Technology, San Diego Schools; David Heil, President, David Heil & Associates, Inc.; Theresa McCoy, Project Director, Consortium for Achievement in Mathematics and Science, Merck Institute for Science Education; Frank Owens, Visiting Associate Exective Director, National Science Teachers Association; Diane Riggs, Senior Director, Research and Innovation, Junior Achievement; Kendall Starkweather, Executive Driector, International Technology Education Association; Kevin Stinson, Curriculum Manager, Cincinnati Public Schools; JoAnne Vasquez, Science Education Consultant Author, Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Science; and Paul Ford, Senior Education Policy Analyst, National Institutes of Health.
BSCS staff participating in the conference included Rodger W. Bybee, Executive Director; Janet Carlson, Associate Director; Pamela Van Scotter, Director, Center for Curriculum Development; Nancy Landes, Director, Center for Professional Development; Theodore Lamb, Co-Director, Center for Research & Evaluation; Clare Swanger, Consultant, Organizational Advancement; Sam Spiegel, Science Educator; April Gardner, Science Educator; Deb Jordan, Science Educator; and Molly Stuhlsatz, Research Associate.
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