With the restructuring of the senior secondary education system in Hong Kong in 2009, the senior secondary curriculum was overhauled substantially by the conversion of the two-year Certificate Level and the two-year Advanced Level to a new three-year senior secondary level. This process entails changes to the contents and organization of various…

Although many states in the United States are adopting policies that require all students to complete college-preparatory science classes to graduate from high school, such policies have not always led to improved student outcomes. There is much speculation about the cause of the dismal results, but there is scant research on the processes by…

The results of using laboratory instruction as part of the total biology program in the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study are reported. (Author/SA)

The Wisconsin Inventory of Science Processes and the Scientific Attitude Inventory were given as pre- and posttests to 34 junior high school science teachers to determine if changes in knowledge of the processes of science and attitude toward science were produced as a result of a formal training program emphasizing a process oriented approach to…

Described is a study to determine the long-range impact of the Pennsylvania Nuclear Science Prolect. Findings include that fewer than one-half participants are still teaching the pilot program, that school/teachers who "dropped out" averaged three years from initial involvement, and that student interest and scheduling problems are two…

The purpose of the study was to obtain information relevant to the practices, policies, and conditions related to the teaching of science in the public secondary schools. Subproblems investigated selected material characteristics, selected teacher characteristics as they related to science teachers, to the selection of specific learning…

A conceptual model, which provides insight into the individual concerns that teachers adopting a new program may express, was employed in a study of science teachers (N=139) adopting the Intermediate Science Curriculum Study (ISCS). Results from a 35-item instrument (Stages of Concern Questionnaire), demographic data, and recommendations are…

Summarizes results of a survey on teachers' views of the Nuffield A-level physics course (NAP) including, among others, course content, philosophy, examinations, organization, and individual units. Suggests that most teachers surveyed were satisfied with their NAP course. (SK)

This newsletter is a special issue on the preparation of teachers. An article suggests the use of the Biology Teachers' Handbook, prepared as part of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) program, as a text in science methods courses. The use of the series of "Invitations to Enquiry" is shown as an example of an effective…

The background of teaching science in secondary schools in Papua New Guinea is described in order to familiarize readers with the situation at Goroka Teachers' College (GTC) in the early 1980s where it was necessary to attempt to increase educational standards in science. Goroka Teachers' College was the main source of science teachers for…

Reviews physics curricula and instructional practices and materials (films, television, computers) at the secondary and college levels. Includes discussion of physics majors and teachers, examinations and testing, and the role of the National Science Foundation (NSF). (JN)

Discusses a teaching method using investigational skills for Nuffield A-level Physics including assessment technique, change of the assessment criteria, advice for choosing the topic, and future development. (YP)

Because the decline in high quality and well-attended science education programs has been a source of concern to educators, policymakers, and leaders of business and industry, a survey of secondary school science education was conducted in 1981 by the Ohio Department of Education. Questionnaires were sent to 161 public high schools, representing…

Questionnaires were sent to 382 public and non-public New Jersey secondary schools to determine the status of science teaching during 1981-1982. Survey results (with 55% response) are reported for general information (staffing, certification, teaching duties, and others), supervisory personnel, subject matter organization, textbooks used, second…