Many states flunk science standards
Nearly half the states have reportedly flunked an examination of statewide science standards for elementary and high schools.
The report -- "The State of State Science Standards 2005" -- appraised the quality of statewide K-12 science standards required to be in place this school year by the federal "No Child Left Behind" law, stateline.org reported Wednesday.
Adopting new science standards is the first step leading to science testing that will be required in every state by 2007.
Fifteen states flunked, seven earned a "D" grade and eight were given a "C" by a panel of science professors. The remaining 19 states earned grades of "A" or "B", with California, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Indiana in the top five, stateline.org said. Idaho, Texas, Wisconsin, Alaska and Kansas received the lowest marks.
Iowa failed to publish any science standards by the study's deadline, stateline.org said.
The research, released Wednesday, warns the United States' standing in the world is being threatened by lagging student achievement in the sciences.
The study was sponsored by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative think tank that supports toughening school standards.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International
