MADISON (WKOW) - For a state that often prides itself on academics, Wisconsin got a failing report card from a national think tank. The Fordham Institute says Wisconsin public schools are not up to par with its science standards. In fact, it ranked us last in the nation.
Fordham gave Wisconsin, when it comes to science standards, zero out of seven points for "content and vigor" and zero out three points for "clarity and specificity", meaning that the standards for what we teach our students when it comes to science are vague. The report goes as far as describing our standards as "dismal and content free".
"I think that's an inaccurate portrayal of what's happening in Wisconsin," said Patrick Gasper, the communications officer for the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction.
Gasper says our state is in the process of revamping its science standards, just like we did for other academic areas a couple years ago.
"When that process was finished back in 2010, Wisconsin was the first state to adopt those standards for English, language arts and mathematics."
Plus, Gasper says Fordham based its rating of Wisconsin, solely on the official science standards for our state published back in 1998, but he says you can find up to date standards with more grade specific goals online.
He says parents should feel confident about what their children learn in science class.
"Wisconsin schools are doing a good job," he said.
if you'd like to see the full report by the Fordham Institute, click here:
http://www.edexcellencemedia.net/publications/2012/2012-State-of-State-Science-Standards/2012-State-of-State-Science-Standards-Press-Release.pdf
For what Gasper calls more up-to-date scientific standards for state educators, click here:
****
MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin has long been known for its high standards of education. However, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute just released a new evaluation of Wisconsin's state science education standards. They are sorely below what is acceptable, and in fact received the lowest ranking in all of the United States.
The assessment of Wisconsin's standards in the report says they are "simply worthless." The content of the standards consists of outdated references to national standards, a tactic that the standards' authors describe as "an escape hatch to avoid hard work and careful thought."
Experts from the Fordham Institute, a non-profit education policy think tank, evaluated science standards from every state for their content, rigor, clarity, and specificity. The findings were discouraging. The majority of states received a D or F, grade. Only six jurisdictions got a rating an A- or A.
These conclusions are cause for concern at a time when American science performance is lagging and businesses are increasingly looking for workers skilled in math and science.
Madison Schools Superintendent Dan Nerad agrees things could improve. He says the state already has plans to review its standards in all areas.
You can find the report cards for every state, including Wisconsin, as well as an introduction to the report's findings
here.
Coming up tonight on 27 News, the office of the State Superintendent reacts to the findings and has a message for local parents.
