Science

New REL Midwest Report Highlights Online Course Use in Iowa and Wisconsin

Submitted by Guest Blogger on

The use of online courses has grown rapidly over the past decade and is projected to increase, yet few states or districts collect data about how and why schools enroll students in online courses. Accurately capturing student participation is complicated by the variety of ways that schools use online learning. As online learning grows exponentially, we need more information about how schools are using it to inform policy and best practice.

NCAN Conference Series: Building Student Awareness and Business Connections

Submitted by Clarisse Haxton on

This is the second in a series of four blog posts from the National College Access Network (NCAN) Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on September 15—17, 2014. These posts summarize findings from selected presentations at the NCAN Conference that provide concrete, actionable recommendations for practitioners on the following topics: increasing student awareness of “college match”; increasing STEM awareness and connecting with local businesses; structuring internships to prepare students for the workforce; and supporting first-generation college students.

Following Engineering Graduates

This study explores graduates of a baccalaureate-level program in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Engineering Technology, and aims to determine the experience of graduates after they completed their degrees and began work in the field for which they were trained. The authors surveyed on-campus and on-line graduates, and their low response rate resulted in a non-representative sample. The authors found that graduates felt the program was useful in their employment, and that they had positive perceptions of the faculty and curriculum.

Beyond the Pipeline: STEM Pathways for Youth Development

This report describes how Project Exploration, a STEM pipeline alternative, has identified a disproportionate exit of minority and female students from STEM programs. The authors used a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to assess efficacy of Project Exploration's efforts to engage minority and female students who traditionally are under-represented in the STEM pipeline. Based on the success of their alternative approach, the authors propose an alternative model of a STEM pipeline that is based on a matrix of progressive competencies.

Mind the Gaps: How College Readiness Narrows Achievement Gaps in College Success

This report from ACT examines academic factors indicative of first-year college success and retention for high school students, specifically underrepresented racial/ethnic minority and low-income students. The report finds that college readiness, core curriculum, and taking additional coursework in math and science are directly related to college success. This report also discusses factors that lead to lower college success rates and presents recommendations for narrowing achievement gaps.

Traditional and Block Scheduling for College Science Preparation: A Comparison of College Science Success of Students Who Report Different High School Scheduling Plans

This study compares block scheduling to traditional scheduling used for college level science courses. The researchers surveyed more than 7000 high school students enrolled in introductory college biology, chemistry, and physics courses. Survey results revealed that teaching methods were similar in both scheduling types. Students in AB scheduling, especially those in peer tutoring classrooms, performed less well then students in other scheduling conditions.

Science Framework Seen as Valued Resource for Educators

The National Research Council’s Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas is being highlighted as a resource to help educators think through implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards.,  The framework, created in 2011 by an 18-member panel of experts in science and science education served as a blueprint for the standards and provides an “accessible narrative” that can support curriculum and assessment design as well as local implementation of the standards. 

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Science