U.S. Science Scores Drop: SLC Students Continue to Outperform Nation

 “In a world filled with the products of scientific inquiry, scientific literacy has become a necessity for everyone. Everyone needs to use scientific information to make choices that arise every day. Everyone needs to be able to engage intelligently in public discourse and debate about important issues that involve science and technology.”

 -  The National Committee on Science Education Standards

Although Education Leaders in the United States see the importance of solid science instruction as a part of education, the results of a national exam, released Tuesday, are alarming. The test scores showed that a disturbingly low number of students have advanced skills that could lead to careers in science and technology. Only one percent of fourth and 12^th grade students and two percent of eight grade students scored in the highest group on the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress. Less than half of U.S. students were considered proficient in science.

These results are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the lack of scientific literacy in the United States. According to a 2010 science education report, “U.S. mathematics and science education between kindergarten and 12^th grade now ranks 48^th worldwide.” The study also showed that almost half of U.S. adults don’t know how long it takes the Earth to circle the sun. In 2010, China debuted at the top of International Education rankings. China has now replaced the U.S. as the world’s top high-technology exporter.

“Scientific literacy also is of increasing importance in the workplace. More and more jobs demand advanced skills, requiring that people be able to learn, reason, think creatively, make decisions, and solve problems. An understanding of science and the processes of science contributes in an essential way to these skills.”

 - The National Research Council

Since achievement scores for students in the U.S. have stagnated, employers are now forced to seek qualified workers elsewhere. Charles Vest, the head of the National Academy of Engineering, stated, “We have to have a well-educated workforce to create opportunities for young people. Otherwise, we don’t have a chance.” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan makes the connection between science education and the nation’s economic future clear: “Americans need to wake up to this educational reality, instead of napping at the wheel while emerging competitors prepare their students for economic leadership."  If we continue to allow ineffective science education, our nation will be at the mercy of other world powers that are able to successfully prepare students for the future in a scientifically advanced world.

“The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them.”

- Albert Einstein

Amidst all of the negative news about America’s school system, the Southwest Learning Centers stand out as schools that are successfully educating students in science. Last year’s test scores showed that students in the Southwest Learning Centers are far ahead of their peers. Both the fourth and fifth grade classes at Southwest Primary Learning Center scored 100% proficient in science and the sixth grade class was 85% proficient. Seventh grade students in Southwest Intermediate Learning Center earned a 95% proficient rating in science and Southwest Secondary Learning Center’s 11^th graders were 90% proficient in science. When compared to the less than 50% national average, it is clear that the Southwest Learning Centers are effective in science education and understand the importance of scientific literacy. The Southwest Learning Centers strive to show students the practical applications of science in everyday life and for future careers. For example, the flight program offered at the schools shows students the relevance of science in a tangible way. Educators, law-makers, and leaders need to look to the innovative methods of successful schools, such as the Southwest Learning Centers, to find creative ways to improve science education in the United States. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sums it up: “Our nation’s long-term economic prosperity depends on providing a world class education to all students, especially in mathematics and science.”

Charter School Options Limited Due to Parental Demand

Options for school choice in New Mexico are often more limited than they appear on paper. Although school choice does exist through charter schools and small scholarship programs such as Educate New Mexico, most New Mexican students are unable to take advantage of attending high-performing schools. Most of the State’s top-performing charter schools have long waiting lists. For example, the Southwest Primary, Southwest Intermediate, and Southwest Secondary Learning Centers have a waiting list that exceeds 3,600 students and is growing every day. The Southwest Primary Learning Center averages test scores that are 50% higher than APS and other State schools. At Southwest Intermediate Learning Center, test scores are 40%-50% higher than State and APS scores. Southwest Secondary Learning Center boasts scores that are an average of 30% higher than APS and the State. These three high-achieving schools as well as other charter schools in the state are more successful than their public counterparts.

Successful schools are in high demand for New Mexican students due to the failures of the traditional system. Governor Susana Martinez frames the debate over school choice well: “I have long said it is morally reprehensible to trap kids in failing schools.”  Yet, chances for families to take advantage of school choice in New Mexico are about to get slimmer. If passed, House Bill 120, introduced by Representative Mimi Stewart, will put an end to new charter schools in New Mexico from now until January 1, 2017. With a ranking of 32nd in the nation for education, this bill comes at a time when New Mexico’s families desperately need school choice. Daniel Ulibarri, Executive Director of Educate New Mexico, says, “Not only can New Mexico's children not wait another eight years or more for the schools to improve, but our economy needs — now more than ever — a competent, highly-educated work force and schools that will attract entrepreneurs from across the globe.”

Lawmakers in Santa Fe need to come to the realization that educational reform will not come through limiting options for education in New Mexico. School choice provides competition, which should create a competitive market for students. If enough students opt to attend quality charter schools, the existing public schools system will be forced to modify their approach, or cease to exist. Stanford Economics professor, Caroline M. Hoxby, has conducted extensive research on the economics of school choice and competition in the arena of education. She argues “…when we allowed competition in other areas of American life, say, deregulated some industries, we’ve seen enormous improvements in efficiencies, which in schools, means more achievement.” She goes on to say, “…public schools will be able to improve, especially in response to competition.” This positive competition can only occur if there are enough viable options.

New Mexico Secretary of Education, Hanna Skandera, puts it well: “If school choice is given a fair chance, its success or failure should be determined by results. If successful, all students – those that stay and those that leave the traditional public school system – would be better off, academically and otherwise.” School choice has not been given a fair chance in New Mexico and will not be given a fair chance if House Bill 120 is enacted. Placing a moratorium on all new charter schools for any amount of time will hinder the progress that can be made in educational reform, at a time when transformation of the traditional system is imperative.

President Obama: Capping Charter Schools Contrary to Improving Education

"...That leads me to the fourth part of America’s education strategy – promoting innovation and excellence in America’s schools. One of the places where much of that innovation occurs is in our most effective charter schools... Right now, there are caps on how many charter schools are allowed in some states, no matter how well they are preparing our students. That isn’t good for our children, our economy, or our country. Of course, any expansion of charter schools must not result in the spread of mediocrity, but in the advancement of excellence. That will require states adopting both a rigorous selection and review process to ensure that a charter school’s autonomy is coupled with greater accountability – as well as a strategy, like the one in Chicago, to close charter schools that are not working. Provided this greater accountability, I call on states to reform their charter rules, and lift caps on the number of allowable charter schools, wherever such caps are in place."

President Barack Obama
March 10, 2009

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Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia have some type of limit, or cap, on charter school growth. Most caps restrict the number of charter schools allowed, while others restrict the number of students that a single school can serve.

Caps on charter schools are often the consequence of political trade-offs, and not the result of agreement on sound education policy. For example, frequently policy-makers, concerned about how charter schools may affect an established school district, will mandate restrictions on the number of public charter schools in that specific district.

But the demand for charter schools shows no signs of letting up. An estimated 365,000 students are on charter school wait lists. This is enough to fill over 1,100 new average-sized charter schools. More than half of all charter schools across the country report they have a wait list, with the problem particularly acute in Pennsylvania (27,000), Colorado (25,000), Massachusetts (16,000), New York (12,000), New Mexico (10,000), and Illinois (10,000).  If this demand is to be met, states must reform or eliminate their caps on charter schools, while continuing to utilize appropriate measures ensuring that new charter schools are of high quality.

Unfortunately, New Mexico has chosen to go a different direction.  On Friday, January 21, 2011, Representative Mimi Stewart introduced House Bill 120.  This bill specifically reads, “a chartering authority shall not accept an application for a new charter school or approve a new charter school between January 1, 2011 and January 1, 2017.”

If enacted, this bill will eliminate school choice in New Mexico.  The bill has been supported by the New Mexico School Boards Association, New Mexico Administrators Association, the Legislative Education Study Committee (co-chaired by Representative Rick Miera and Senator Cynthia Nava), and the Board of Education for the Albuquerque Public Schools.