The Spellings Report: Must See TV

Margaret Spellings, Secretary of the Department of Education, is worried about math and science education saying:

"Students lose interest in math and science the further they advance through the educational system. Reform cannot wait."

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that The Department of Education is promoting tomorrow night's satellite broadcast of its program, Education News Parents Can Use:

Here's your chance to join with parents and educators who are doing what it takes to improve American education ...

Education News Parents Can Use focuses on schools, learning and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. On the third Tuesday of each month during the school year, Education News airs live via satellite, offering parents and anyone else with an interest in education vital information about getting involved in children's learning.

Tomorrow's 1 hour program will focus on Science Education:

For some time, business leaders have sounded the alarm that our schools are failing to provide the kind of rigorous education in science needed to produce graduates ready to meet the demand of the 21st century marketplace. Of the 20 fastest-growing occupations projected for this decade, 15 of them require substantial science or math preparation. The phenomenon of American business leaders looking to other countries for workers with high-level science and math skills has moved from a developing trend to a common practice. With the advent of the information age, virtually all jobs—not just those in scientific fields—are demanding a deeper understanding of science than was necessary in previous generations. The challenge of the 21st century will be to ensure that all students develop an appreciation for and mastery of science subjects.

The May broadcast of Education News Parents Can Use will focus on these key questions:

• What comprehensive strategies are elementary, middle and high schools using to increase proficiency levels in science and science-related coursework for all of their students’?
• What strategies do effective teachers use to focus on science skills across the curriculum?
• How does No Child Left Behind address science instruction and teacher qualifications?
• What innovative practices have been successful in improving student performance on science assessments?
• What is the administration’s plan to improve both science education and the number of high school graduates that go on to pursue careers in science- and math-related fields?
• What efforts are being made by industry and community leaders to encourage more students to enter high-tech, high-need science-related fields?
• What resources are available to parents to help foster an interest and aptitude for the sciences in their children?

Showtime is from 8:00-9:00 PM. (Eastern) A complete list of viewing options can be found here. --------------------------An Invitation: All writers and readers of education-related posts are invited to contribute to the fourteenth edition of The Carnival of Education. Please send your submissions to: owlshome [at] earthlink [dot] net. We should receive your contributions no later than 10:00 PM (Pacific) Tuesday, May 17, 2005. The Carnival midway will open here at the 'Wonks Wednesday morning. Get our easy-to-follow entry guidelines here. View the latest edition of the Carnival there.

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