Las Cruces Public Schools Sends Letter To NMPED Regarding Science Education Standards

Mexico/October 17, 2017/Source: http://krwg.org

Commentary: Las Cruces Public Schools sent the following letter to the New Mexico Public Education Department regarding proposed omissions in the state’s science education standards:

As the state moves forward with the long-anticipated adoption of new science standards, the Las Cruces Public Schools wishes to express concerns about key omissions in the proposed New Mexico STEM-Ready Science Standards. As an early adopter of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), LCPS recognizes the need for a revised vision of science education to prepare students for college, career and citizenship. However, there is great concern that omissions in standards that support conceptual understanding of complex systems will have a lasting detrimental impact on science education. The removal of terminology such as evolution and climate change flies in the face of the evidence accepted by the majority of the scientific community. These omissions dilute the accuracy of key scientific concepts that may forever impact the science literacy of students.

Public schools have the responsibility to provide students with the skills required to become critical thinkers, capable of analyzing evidence and constructing arguments based on the evidence. Taking on topics that are controversial and engaging with content that has multiple interpretations is key to giving students the opportunity to participate in authentic scientific inquiry. Removing these topics would deny New Mexico students access to scientific inquiry, examination, and debate that is fostered among students in states across the nation. Such a policy decision would marginalize New Mexico students and render them less able to compete with their peers across the nation and the globe.

The Las Cruces Public Schools continues to experience success with the implementation of rigorous science standards. In 2015, LCPS began integrating the Next Generation Science Standards, without modification, into science curricula in grades 6-8. Science educators and stakeholders have embraced these changes and there has been a notable increase in student achievement in science in the middle grades.

Adopting modified standards not only imperils the education of students, but potentially the economic future of our state. New Mexico can never hope to improve quality of education, and in turn quality of life, if the state implements policies that drive away industry and leave residents with fewer opportunities for high wage employment.

On behalf of the students of New Mexico, now and future, we implore you to provide them with access to science education that is afforded to students across the nation. Maintain the integrity of science education by ensuring the NGSS standards are adopted as designed, without omission of key scientific concepts.

This letter was unanimously approved by the Las Cruces Board of Education on October 3, 2017.

Respectfully,

Gregory Ewing, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Sra. Maria Flores

President

Las Cruces Board of Education

Source:

http://krwg.org/post/las-cruces-public-schools-sends-letter-nmped-regarding-science-education-standards