In 2024, Oklahoma’s science assessments revealed some concerning statistics. Only 34% of fifth grade students and 35% of eighth graders performed at a proficient level or higher. When it comes to the ACT, just 17% of Oklahoma students met the science benchmark, ranking the state alongside Mississippi for the lowest science proficiency in the country.
Despite these troubling results, the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has introduced draft science standards that maintain many of the weaknesses of the previous guidelines influenced by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). While there are few minor improvements, the draft standards still lack the clarity and rigor needed to adequately prepare students for college and their future careers.
Many were disappointed when OSDE chose not to adopt better science standards. It’s known that they considered options based on The Franklin Standards, which offer a clearer and more rigorous approach to science education. If Oklahoma citizens, the State Board of Education, and legislators could compare the drafts side by side, I believe they would see the greatly enhanced content and clarity offered by these alternative standards.
Unfortunately, the current draft still shows signs of political influence. For example, the new engineering standards encourage students to tackle “global challenges” shaped by a progressive agenda. This includes analyzing issues like sustainable energy and air quality, using societal needs and wants as key criteria for finding solutions.
The Environmental Science high school course requirements are similarly biased, emphasizing the importance of sustaining biodiversity to maintain life on Earth. This focus on political narratives detracts from the fundamental scientific principles students need to learn.
A quick comparison makes the shortcomings clear. The current standards are cumbersome and require explanations just to be understood. They often detail what teachers do not need to teach rather than setting high expectations for what students should learn. This lack of ambition is evident throughout the draft standards.
However, there is a small positive touch in the inclusion of a section on “Scientific Literacy.” This section outlines several core values that underpin scientific inquiry, such as logical thinking and objectivity. It’s a step in the right direction, and it’s good to see OSDE acknowledging the importance of teaching these principles to students.
But, overall, this improvement is overshadowed by the persistence of mediocre standards. There’s clear potential for OSDE to produce better guidelines, as shown by their recent draft social studies standards that took a more reform-minded approach. They know how to improve educational standards if they choose to distance themselves from the failed models of the past.
It’s crucial for OSDE, the State Board of Education, and Oklahoma legislators to strive for better science standards. Oklahoma students deserve a more rigorous and enlightening science education that can truly prepare them for the future. The state should not settle for anything less than excellence in education.
Check out this related article: Exciting Science Alumni Reunion at BHS: A Celebration of Innovation and Connection – Bethpage Newsgram
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