Arlington, Va.—December 9, 2008—The National Science Teachers Association, the largest organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, released the following statement regarding the results of the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
“The National Science Teachers Association is discouraged by the results of the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Science scores for both fourth and eighth grade students have remained flat since 1995 and scores for minority students are dismal.
America’s global competitiveness will increasingly depend on our ability to better educate our young people in the sciences. Over the last ten years numerous reports have told us how stakeholders can and must work together to increase student achievement in science. In spite of these reports, many districts simply do not value science education. Science is being eliminated from many K–6 classrooms. Science teachers, especially at the elementary level, need better quality professional development and more classroom materials.
We must develop and retain high quality science teachers, especially for high risk schools, by attracting more candidates into teaching and by strengthening teacher education programs. We should not accept these TIMSS scores as the status quo, but instead focus on how we can forge a stronger public commitment from parents, the business community, policymakers, and other stakeholders on the importance of quality science education.”
About NSTA
The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes more than 58,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.
Contact Information
Kate Meyer
National Science Teachers Association
kmeyer@nsta.org
(703) 312-9211