IBSE Final

148 NaTIoNal SCIENCE TEaChERS aSSoCIaTIoN

Chapter 8 a Perspective on the Reform of Science Teaching

presented in the figure indicates that purpose statements and policy documents,

although essential, have minimal and moderate influence on reform, respec-

tively. We are now approaching the phases where risk, cost, constraints, personal

responsibilities, and benefits are all high or extremely high. Clearly, the science

teaching community has significant challenges ahead.

Table 8.2 Cost, Risks, and Benefits of Contemporary Reform

Perspectives

Risk to Individual School Personnel

Cost in Financial terms to School

Constraints Against Reform for School

Responsibility for Reform by School Personnel

Benefits to School Personnel and Students Purpose Reforming goals Establishing priorities for goals

Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal Minimal

Policy Establishing design criteria Identifying criteria for instruction Developing frameworks for curriculum and instruction

Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate

Program Developing materials or adopting a program Implementing the program

High High High High High

Practices Changing teaching strategies Adapting materials to unique needs of schools and students

Extremely high

presented in the figure indicates that purpose statements and policy documents,