UCB Parents Advice about School
Science Curriculum in Middle School & High School
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8th Grade Science Curriculum
I have a 12 yr old son at Albany Middle School. We just moved into
the area from NJ 3 mos ago. Has anybody had experience or opinions on
the 8th grade curriculum, especially re: students only required to
have 1 semester of science? In NJ a full year of science is a core
requirement for all middle school kids. I also hear there is a mtg on
3/24 with the curriculum director re:8th grade. How does one provide
the necessary exposure/experiences in the sciences when the public
school is so limiting? (3/99)
Both of my children took full year science at Albany Middle
School. It is my understanding that all students who desire to take a
full year of science are now able to do so. This was made possible by
a dedicated group of parents back in 1996(?) who petitioned the school
board to make funding available for this. It used to be that only 2
classes (60 students) were able to sign up for 2 semesters of science
and they had to line up on the first day of registration and hope they
were one of the first 60 students to select full year science! I
would highly recommend the full year science at AMS not just because
it is educationally sound but also because Ms. Sorg is an
inspirational teacher who has that rare ability to really excite 13/14
year olds about science. To this day, my high schoolers contend that
it was the best science class they have ever had.
As for providing the necessary exposure/experiences? Be prepared
to supplement your childs science classes in high school and push (the
counselors and your child) to take higher level classes as soon as he
can. The regular route through mainstream Albany High science classes
(Bio-Physical Sciences (freshman), Biology (sophomore), Chemistry
(junior)) may be quite boring after a year of Ms. Sorg in the 8th
grade!
Ruth (3/99)
I would like to ask people to volunteer information about the lack of
articulation between middle school science and high school science curriculum.
I have heard from numerous parents that their children were woefully unprepared
for the science classes at BHS.
That is not to say that the middle school teachers are not doing a good
job.
After talking to the head of the Science Dept. at Willard, we learned that what
they teach is mandated by the district.
When we asked our daughter what she was studying in science we discovere
d yet
another semester devoted to the same health education topics: drugs, STD's,
conception or avoidance thereof, etc. etc. etc. I have no problem with my
children learning all this. However, they have had classes on these subjects
since 4th grade.
I understand that in the spring of 8th grade chemistry will be covered.
But
apparently there is a gap. I may be wrong about the reason - it may not be
because they are using science for health ed. & sex ed, but I'd like to hear
from other people.
The teachers' hands are tied if the curriculum is mandated by the district.
Therefore, possibly the curriculum needs to be fine tuned.
Virginia (9/99)
My recent dismay with the science curriculum is not at the BHS level ( we
only started this year), but how the kids in the middle schools and
elementary schools are prepared for the science rigors at BHS. Is anyone
looking at how to improve the middle school science programs? I don't
think all the science fair projects were adequate preparation for Advanced
Biology for my sophomore. I found the science fairs to be simple lip
service to science education. I realize some kids are natural scientists,
but I don't think it was very inspiring or educational for the majority.
Late night and last minute affairs do not a science education make. And how
many volcanoes or acid tests can one mother be expected to produce with a
reluctant student? Should kids take regular biology in summer school or
as freshmen? Or should we be asking the district to rethink the science
program in the middle schools? Heh, at least one good thing, now with an
8th grader and a sophomore I will never have to face a science fair again.
Clio (9/99)
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