Testimony by FCAG President Grace Chung Becker Related to 5th Grade Science SOL Scores

December 4, 2011 by G. C. Becker

[The following testimony was delivered by FCAG President Grace Chung Becker during the December 1 Regular School Board meeting.  Greg Brandon, Web Editor]

Good evening Chairman Strauss, members of the School Board, Superintendent Dale and other distinguished officials.

Tonight, you have heard about the decline in fifth grade science SOL test scores. While test scores are not dispositive of what students are learning in the classroom, this moment presents an opportunity to address a long-standing parental concern for more science instruction in elementary schools.

Unlike Arlington and Montgomery counties, FCPS elementary students do not have science textbooks. Instead they have science packets or kits. While hands-on science can be one effective method of teaching, when used as the sole method, they pose challenges. Over time, missing pieces need replacement. In some schools, there are not enough sets for all students, so the teacher demonstrates the lesson. Teachers have expressed frustration that a lesson may take substantially longer than the time allotted or that the manual instructions are cumbersome when applied in a class of young students.

Science is both concrete and abstract. Students—particularly visual learners—need to read, learn basic scientific terms, and discuss concepts as well as participate in hands-on activities. Science textbooks are an important resource for elementary school teachers to fill in the gaps between kit activities. It is also helpful for substitute teachers, who are not trained on the science kits.

In addition to purchasing science textbooks, FCPS can enhance its science program by incorporating some of the events used in well-regarded science enrichment programs, such as First Lego League Robotics or Science Olympiad (SO) that is aligned with the National Standards of Science. See this website for more details: http://www.soinc.org/align_natl_stand.

For example, the SO optics event (for students in Grades 6-8) nicely integrates concepts in science and math. Students use protractors to measure the angles of incidence and reflection as a laser beam bounces off multiple mirrors to hit a target on the other side of the board. Students learn that (1) the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, (2) compliments of equal angles are equal and (3) that vertical angles are also equal. This event, which includes both a test and a hands-on component, gives students a head start on their geometry curriculum.

While the SO website includes a free Powerpoint presentation on some topics, links to online resources, and CDs on physic and chemistry, coaches (parent volunteers) sometimes struggle to find appropriate material to prepare students for the competition.

The staff report also questioned whether the drop in the science SOL scores is attributable to “pressure to meet the NCLB requirements in language arts and mathematics.” The answer is yes. Teachers at some elementary schools have been directed to stop teaching science and to focus on math and reading. This is very troubling to hear.

I urge the School Board to take measures to ensure that science continues to be taught—and to raise the bar—for all students in our elementary schools.