With the recent push in standardized testing, especially with NCLB, teachers are pressured to ensure that their students to well on these tests. According an article I found here, usually the tests only include the subjects of reading and math in kindergarten through eighth grade. Is science a forgotten subject? Even social studies is not tested. While I can understand that reading and math cross over into science and social studies, why are these subjects not tested? Without including science as a subject on these tests, is this sending a message that science is not as important as reading or math? If I remember correctly from the standardized tests I took in grade school, there were more reading sections of the test than the other sections. Shouldn't all of the subjects be tested equally?
In the article I read, the APS (American Physical Society) Council approved a statement saying that science should be included in assessments. I agree that science should be included because there are skills that are specific to science that can not be covered in a reading or math section. It would also send the message that science is it's own subject and is equally as important as reading and math. Also as the article states, including science on the tests would encourage more time to be spent on science in classrooms and teachers motivating their students in science.
Works Consulted:
http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200106/tests.cfm
I definitely agree with you that both Science and Social Studies are being left behind because of NCLB. Science is a core part of the curriculum and part of our every day life and like you have mentioned it is being forgotten because teachers are under so much pressure from standardized tests. They are spending more time on the subjects that are tested and forgetting about two main subjects that are essential for a student's learning. I'm glad that you found an article that pushes for the inclusion of science and social studies!
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