Indiana Gets Top Grade For Science Education

Fordham's last review of science standards in 2000 also gave Indiana an "A," making it one of only three states including California and Massachusetts to receive the highest grade.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release

The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation today announced that Indiana was one of only seven states to receive an "A" in a new nationwide review of state academic standards for primary and secondary schools. The study, called The State of State Science Standards 2005, is the first comprehensive study of science academic standards conducted since 2000.

In Fordham's last review of science standards, conducted in 2000, Indiana also received an "A," making it one of only three states - including California and Massachusetts - to receive an "A" grade in science in both the 2000 and 2005 study.

"This is further evidence that Indiana has set the bar in the right place," said Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Now the challenge is to ensure that all our students are prepared to meet these high expectations."

Fordham's top official echoed Reed's statement, acknowledging the importance of strong science standards.

"The National Academies, Thomas Friedman, and others have called on Americans to 'get serious' about science, but few state standards can fairly be described as serious," said Chester E. Finn, Jr., President of the Fordham Foundation's Board of Trustees, which sponsored and published this important study. "We all know that great standards like Indiana's don't guarantee a good education for a state's students, but weak standards make it much less likely."

Every state received a letter grade based on how well its standards met a set of rigorous criteria, including:

* Do the standards contain clear and fair expectations by grade level for students?

* Are the standards organized in a sensible way, both showing logical progression from grade to grade and easily navigated so teachers, parents, and the public can understand?

* Is there an appropriate amount of science content, and if so, do the standards outline the best approach to share that content?

* Are the expectations outlined specific enough, yet set high aims that will equip students with the science skills they need for college?

* Are the standards appropriately serious, or do they incorporate pseudo-scientific fads or politics?

Previous Fordham reviews have awarded top marks for all four core content areas - English/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Fordham's last review of state standards focused on U.S. History. In that study, Indiana received an "A," and the state's standards were cited the best in the nation.

More information on the Fordham review can be found at www.edexcellence.net. Please contact Jennifer Leischer at 202-223-5452 or via email at jleischer@edexcellence.net with questions or for copies of the report.

Source: Thomas B. Fordham Foundation