Districts work to meet state science guidelines
October 4, 2009
The lights dimmed and Christian Jackson turned on a blue ultraviolet light. He scanned a tie-dyed T-shirt and found a cheesy stain - or as he referred to it, "evidence."
Jackson examined the shirt underneath a microscope looking for more clues as to what might have happened on a Friday night not too long ago.
"Look here," the high school senior said excitedly. He pointed to a mascara stain on his T-shirt. "You can definitely tell I had a female near me."
Jackson and 20 of his Longview High School classmates are enrolled in a forensic science course. The school district added the class this year to help meet requirements of the 4x4 plan that say students must complete four years of science, math, English and social studies, said Susan Merrill, Longview High School's science department chairwoman and teacher.
"We decided to pilot this class because it's something that will be fun and that kids will enjoy, and there's no stress to have to pass the TAKS test," Merrill said.
Longview ISD Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo said school districts statewide are awaiting a state decision that could allow schools to offer more career and technology education courses as science classes to help fill the fourth year requirement.
"We're excited about the career and tech courses that the state is considering," Ore City High School Principal Scot Wright said. "It's going to help a lot."
Gilmer and White Oak school officials said their districts haven't added any extra classes because they're awaiting the state's decision.
"We just need extra options," White Oak Superintendent Mike Gilbert said.
To add extra classes, districts must focus on retaining and recruiting qualified science teachers, Gilbert said.
Wright said Ore City has two science teachers who teach all of the classes. In the future, he'd like to add another.
"I have two very good science teachers, but I know that when we look to add another position we'll have some struggles in recruiting," he said.
"Science is a very difficult field to hire in if you have a vacancy," Gilbert said. "The main thing we're trying to do is keep the science teachers we have. We want to keep them in White Oak."
The district doesn't offer a stipend for science teachers, but Gilbert said it's something that will be considered in the future.
Mayo said Longview is looking to offer its science teachers the opportunity to earn a master's degree. The district has decided to partner with Stephen F. Austin State University, which offers a Math, Science and Technology Teacher Prep Academy that is funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
The academy starts classes in the spring, and Longview teachers have until Oct. 16 to opt in for the program, Mayo said. The district pays $1,000 per teacher to the university, she said.
"This will extend their learning, and it improves our professional development," she said. "It also develops strength in our math and science departments and helps us as we secure new teachers. We'll have people who can serve as mentors and help our new folks."
The difficulty in recruiting "new folks" is colleges typically turn out fewer science and math teachers than other subjects, Mayo said.
"A lot of young people who have math or science as an academic strength look to go into another field besides teaching," she said. She used nursing as an example of a popular field that science-related majors choose.
Mayo added that the recruiting struggles existed before the 4x4 plan was in place.
"It was hard to fill positions for three required science classes, then the state added a fourth credit," Mayo said. "As always, school people just adjust and get out there and try to do what's best for the kids. Longview is no different than any other district in the state in the challenges that we've faced."
Longview started its 2009-10 school year with a fully staffed science department and eight fourth-year classes to meet the 4x4 requirement.
As for the forensic science students, among their first projects was to wear tie-dyed T-shirts for a day then use equipment the following week to retrace their steps.
And Jackson's cheesy spill? It was from nachos.
"You see, right before the Lobo football game, I ate nachos," Jackson said. "I was in my forensic science shirt, so I knew I could get a little messy."
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The state's 4x4 graduation plan
- Requires students to graduate with four credits of math, science, social studies and English
- With regard to science, students must take biology, chemistry and physics. Integrated chemistry and physics can be taken as a substitute for either chemistry or physics. IPC must be taken before a student's senior year. The fourth-year science must be a laboratory-based class, and it is up to the district to choose what fourth year classes to offer.
- The 4x4 plan started in 2007 with the State Board of Education's approval. The class of 2011 will be the first students to graduate under the 4x4 requirements.
Source: Texas Education Agency
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What's offered
All districts offer biology, chemistry and physics. Students are required to take the three classes with the exception that IPC can be substituted for either chemistry or physics. School districts differ on the fourth year science requirement.
Longview: Forensic science; geology, meteorology, oceanography; environmental systems; astronomy; advanced anatomy and physiology; advanced placement biology; AP chemistry; AP physics
Spring Hill: AP biology or anatomy and physiology
Hallsville: Anatomy and physiology, AP chemistry, AP physics and AP Environmental science
White Oak: Anatomy and physiology and robotics
Ore City: Anatomy and physiology and geology, meteorology, oceanography (the district alternates classes yearly)
Sources: School districts
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What's up next
To help meet the demand for science classes, the state is considering adding career and technology education courses to the science curriculum. Possible courses include:
- Animal science
- Plants and soil
- Food science
Source: Texas Education Agency