Give New Mexico students a chance
Before I retired and moved to New Mexico, I lived in South Carolina, a high-poverty, low-industry, agricultural state, and worked as a science consultant for the South Carolina Department of Education. In 1998, when I first arrived in that state, South Carolina’s educational ranking was No. 49. Presently, South Carolina is ranked No. 35. What occurred to have that amazing rise in that state’s educational system, and can New Mexico experience that same improvement?
The road to improved achievement started with new, rigorous, challenging standards. Since my experience and expertise has been with science education, I will continue to describe the changes in that area.
The earlier standards were vague and non-challenging and did not inspire good science teaching. With the new rigorous standards also came professional development and accountability. It was a well-needed change and teachers met the challenge. The entire classroom culture changed to one of serious learning.
The new science standards were written by teams of teachers and science supervisors with the goal of matching the rigor of science standards found nationwide. Included were all topics that should be taught and learned to promote the development of 21st-century students, including evolution and climate changes.
It wasn’t easy to get those standards passed in a conservative state like South Carolina, but the concern was to have our students compete in global economy rather than be ignorant of important concepts that would limit their opportunities. And that concern overrode petty external attempts to interfere with true science.
New Mexico needs standards that will exemplify scientific thinking at its best. Strong standards will give New Mexico a chance to rise from its low educational ranking (No. 49 or No. 50, depending on the polls) and become a stellar example to the rest of the country.
Dr. Linda Schoen Giddings resides in Santa Fe and is an adjunct instructor of science in the Adult Basic Education program of Santa Fe Community College.