The Future of Science Education in New York: State and City OfficialsDiscuss Funding, New Standards, and Policy Changes Affecting Teachers
NEW YORK, January 10, 2011 — The New York Academy of Sciences will host a panel discussion on The Future of Science Education in New York, featuring state and city education leaders. The Tuesday, January 11 evening event is free and open to the public. Stakeholders around the state will join the discussion via webinar, and viewing parties at several SUNY campuses are designed to open local dialogues about the unique challenges faced in various regions.
Science educators in New York are facing major changes to their profession. New national standards, proposed Obama administration revisions to the No Child Left Behind Act, continued budgetary pressures, and pending revisions to teacher training programs all promise to alter the state’s K-12 education landscape. In addition, science educators are anxious to know how their classrooms will be affected by the $700 million in funding for New York from the federal Race to the Top program, whichis designed to spur reforms in state and local district K-12 education.
“As a nexus of science and education in New York, the Academy is honored to host such an esteemed panel of education leaders to offer insight on all of these topics of vital interest to New York science educators,” says Dr. Meghan Groome, Director of K12 Science Education Initiatives at the Academy.
Moderator: Margaret Ashida, Project Director, Empire State STEM Learning Network
Panelists:
Milton Cofield, PhD, Vice Chancellor, Board of Regents, New York State Education Department
David Steiner, PhD, Commissioner, New York State Education Department
Josh Thomases, Deputy Chief Schools Officer for Academics, NYC Department of Education
Nancy Zimpher, PhD, Chancellor, State University of New York
Welcome Reception 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm