Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/124458
How the president sees it Too little time for K-8 science and social studies and techniques. Students arrive in 6th or 9th grades having had spotty, unequal access to consistent, regular instruction in two of the four core subject areas! It's time to take a stand ecently, EA presidents from around the state shared members' concerns about this very issue. R How did this happen? In 2002, as NCLB (No Child Left Behind) took hold and AYP (adequate yearly progress) became the arbiter of school success, administrators made decisions about curriculum, scheduling and instructional time that have had enormous impacts on learning opportunities for students of every age. In wellintended but misguided attempts to focus time and attention on reading and math—the most tested subjects and a national obsession—class time for social studies and science was whittled away Daily instruc. tion occurs today in only a few DSEA ACTION! (USPS 010111 ISSN 01995413) is the official publication of the Delaware State Education Association. ACTION! is mailed 7 times a year, (September, October, combined Nov/Dec issue, February, March/April, June and July) at DSEA headquarters located at 136 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901. Telephone: 302-734-5834, or toll-free: 1-866-734-5834. Our Wilmington office may be reached by calling 302-366-8440. Subscriptions are included in membership: $2.32 a year for teachers and $1.19 a year for ESPs. Subscriptions are $5 per year to those ineligible for membership. Periodical postage paid at Dover, DE 19901. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DSEA ACTION!, 136 E. Water St., Dover, DE 19901. President FREDERIKA JENNER Vice President MIKE HOFFMANN Treasurer KAREN CROUSE NEA Director VACANT Exec. Director JEFF TASCHNER Editor PAMELA T. NICHOLS Program Assistant SUSAN W. KELLER "It is my mission to see science and social studies restored to their rightful place in public education," proclaims President Jenner. schools. Instead, classes meet every other day or month, by the marking period—even by the semester. Elementary teachers have been told to fit in science and social studies when possible. Full-year curriculums are compacted, modified with no central direction or consistency, reduced to uneven delivery, lacking connection of key concepts. This has been a national trend. Unintended consequences are emerging Students come less prepared for higher level courses. Teachers in both subjects report inadequate coverage and preparation, with gaps in content knowledge and inability to use appropriate tools How is it possible in a state known for science research and entrepreneurship that science instruction has taken a back seat in elementary and even middle school classrooms? In a state with our rich, important history, why provide less than full support for K-8 social studies? Our teachers are ready; our students are capable. Delaware science and social studies education may have a PR problem. Recently, a district leader asked what could be done in elementary schools to support STEM programs in high schools. From 1997-2002, Delaware spent millions to overhaul K-8 science. During that time, I served as one of twenty Coalition Science Specialists. With an extraordinary National Science Foundation grant, a charismatic leader and Lead Teachers from every elementary and middle school in the 14-district coalition, this group developed a nationally-renowned instructional program, adopted statewide. It is my mission to see science and social studies restored to their rightful places in public education and in the school day . Leading the way. . . his month we salute Cora Booth, a special education teacher in an ILC classroom (Intensive Learning Center), grades 2,3,5. She is in her 31st year of working in education. For her local association, IREA, she is the building representative; a member of IREA's Membership Committee and Political Action Committee; and also the Elections Committee chair. T personal wakeup call. Who can one turn to when there is injustice? Where can one go for accurate information? How does one find support? How does one affect change? I found the answers in my union. What do you think our biggest challenges are? I think member participation is the biggest challenge across all levels. It is easy to get caught up in your own busy world, but each and every union member has a voice that must blend together to be heard. Why did you become so active? thoughts are buzzing, ideas are blooming, the sun shines with learning, and laughter fills the air!" Hundreds of K-8 science kits are refurbished and distributed throughout the state. Middle school science teachers and K-5 teachers required to teach science take indepth training for each kit—exemplary preparation in content and pedagogy; plus, the kits provide all the teaching materials. An added benefit: 3rd grade science in Georgetown, Dover and Wilimington is the same. Social studies curriculums were revamped to reflect K-12 state standards incorporating history, civics, economics, and geography Social . studies provides an abundance of suitable material for the Common Core focus on non-fiction, informational text. Lead K-12 social studies teachers could identify selections to be circulated statewide. Like their science colleagues, these teachers could develop and deliver professional development to enrich and update content, pedagogy, skills and strategies. We have teachers who understand how science and social studies programs can be useful in practicing skills introduced in math and reading classes; teachers who know that hands-on science is effective in motivating reluctant learners; teachers who understand the appeal of illustrations and maps, as well as the stories that social studies has to tell. They also realize the value that these subjects contribute to a wellrounded K-12 education. This is an opportunity that must not be squandered. Out and about I enjoy worksite visits to meet and talk with members. Recent visits include Central MS, Howard HS, Hodgson HS, Lewis Elem, H.B. duPont MS, Indian River HS, Sussex Central HS, and Charlton School. I am looking forward to visiting Wilmington Manor, the Delaware College Preparatory Academy, and Smyrna Middle School in the next few weeks. THERE IS POWER IN THE UNION. "In the perfect world at school… Thirty-one years ago, I became a union member because it was what was expected. Then I got a Where are we today? 2 March/April 2013 DSEA ACTION! Frederika Jenner President frederika.jenner@dsea.org www.dsea.org