Improved Effectiveness Through Increased

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Improved Effectiveness Through Increased
Cooperation American Geological Institute May
19-20, 2003 National Academy of Sciences
Building Developing the Earth Science Teacher
Corps Robert W. Ridky
Directors Office U.S. Geological
Survey
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The K-12 Consumer Market

• School districts - 14,571

• Schools - 92,012

• K-12 Enrollment - 46.9 million

• 9-12 Enrollment - 13.1 million

• K-12 Teachers - 2.9 million

• 7-12 Teachers - 1.03 million

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National Science Standards what students
should know and be able to do
Earth Science Physical Science Life
Science
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Now, for the first time in our nations history,
we have a call to action, a dramatic call for
change, and one that specifically states that all
students, at all grade levels, should receive
earth science instruction. National
Research Council
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All Teachers in Mathematics and Science, Grades
9-12, 1990 to 1998
EARTH SCIENCE 1998 1990 18,241
13,425
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Professor 6168 Assoc. Professor
2707 Asst. Professor 3145 Total
12,020
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there are severe shortages of certified science
teachers... many states and districts are having
difficulty hiring and assigning well-prepared
teachers in the field of earth science.
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What we should do

• Articles in Geotimes, Eos, GSA Today and other
  societal journals concerning importance of
  establishing earth science t.p. programs
• obtain and distribute to chairs state by state
  e.s. teacher certification requirements
  (including full range of alternative
  certification options now available

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What we should do

• obtain and distribute to chairs examples of t.p.
  programs that can serve as blueprints for a range
  of geoscience departments
• hold symposia and special sessions in conjunction
  with annual and regional meetings where how to
  models are presented

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Survey of Geoscience Departments Earth
Science Teacher Preparation Programs
410 surveys sent out 268 responses
Summary of Responses    1. Does your department
offer an e.s. teacher preparation program
or track? Yes 144 No 116 Pending/In
Progress 2 Comment 4 No Comment 2
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A Small Workshop by
Invitation May 16 17, 2003   This
workshop will bring together geoscience faculty,
teachers, and members of schools of education to
discuss how geoscience departments can assist in
the development of the required number of
well-trained Earth Science teachers.