Dr. Eric J. Smith Commissioner of Education 325 W. Gaines St, Suite 1514 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400 Dear Commissioner Smith: As members of the Science Standards Framers' and Writers' groups, we first want to acknowledge the tireless work that the staff of the Office of Mathematics and Science (OMS) did to advocate for the tremendous progress we achieved in the standards. The standards that were adopted will allow Florida's science educators to move forward in helping their students achieve a bright future. However, we realize that the development of excellent standards is only one step in establishing Florida as a world leader in science education. During our deliberations, we identified a list of steps that we believe are necessary for Florida's science education program to lead the nation and the world. In arriving at our recommendations for action steps listed below, we have consulted with the International Advisory Board of the Florida Center for Research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Our recommendations to follow the successful completion of the new standards include: 1. Ensure the alignment of curriculum, instructional methods, assessment and pedagogy with these new standards. 2. Require four high school science credits for graduation. 3. Adopt the 2003 National Science Teacher Association teacher preparation standards. 4. Establish a permanent panel of scientists, business leaders and educator-leaders that advise the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education on science education issues. 5. Support the development and adoption of research-based instructional materials, including laboratories and authentic field experiences. 6. Commit at least $100 million per year to professional development ofscience teachers that is based on the best research about how students learn this subject. 7. Provide an immediate differential pay structure that will increase salaries of science teachers by 20%, and provide full state funding for this. This step is recommended in the report "Teachers and the Uncertain American Future" issued by the College Board's Center for Innovative Thought. We believe that all the recommendations in this report should be implemented in Florida. We understand the budget difficulties that the state government is presently facing, and that the program we are recommending would require an extraordinary commitment on the part of the people of Florida. However, better knowledge of science and the analytical and problem-solving skills it teaches are essential to Florida's long-term competitiveness in an increasingly technological society. A citizenry better educated in science will help attract high technology industry to Florida. We stand ready to assist your efforts to improve science education in Florida. Please let us know what we can do to help. Sincerely, Janet Acerra, Science Teacher, Forest Lakes Elementary School, Pinellas County School District Mary Bahr, National Board Certified Science Teacher, Marion County Fred J. Barch, K -12 Science Administrator, Palm Beach County Schools Melody Boeringer-Hartnup, Chemistry Professor, Valencia Community College Susan D. Brennan, Seminole High School, IB Magnet, Chemistry Kathryn S. Bylsma, Middle School Science Teacher, Pasco County David G. Campbell, National Board Certified Science Teacher, IB/AP Biology Teacher, Clay County Susan Cooper, Assistant Professor of Education, Florida Gulf Coast University, and National Board Certified Teacher Cush Copeland, Earth and Space Science, Seminole High School, Sanford Paul Cottle, Steve Edwards Professor of Physics, Florida State University Fred Cutting, Retired Engineering Fellow, Honeywell Corporation Bob Dull, Science Teacher, Palm Harbor University High School, Pinellas County Richard Ellenburg, Orange County Public Schools, 2008 Florida Department of Education/Macy's Teacher of the Year Steve Fannin, Science Teacher, Lincoln High, Tallahassee Michael Fauerbach, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Florida Gulf Coast University Michelle Ferro, Science Coordinator, West Melbourne Elementary School for Science, Brevard County Ron Good, Professor Emeritus, Science Education, Louisiana State University and Florida State University Coveta Grant, Magnet School Coordinator, Sealey Elementary School, Tallahassee Penny Haskins, President, Radiation Technologies, Inc. Margaret Hayden, Science Specialist, Duval County Public Schools Thomas Jordan, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Florida Molly Malloy, Secondary Science Resource Teacher, Orange County Public Schools Brian McClain, Science Teacher, Godby High School, Tallahassee Judith Megaw, Professor of Biology, Indian River College Gerry Meisels, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Coalition for Science Literacy, University of South Florida Bonnie Mizell, Science Coach, Howard Middle School, Orlando Hon Kie Ng, Associate Professor of Physics, Florida State University Donna Poniatowski, Ph.D., Science Curriculum Specialist, Sanford Robert Potter, Professor of Chemistry, University of South Florida Harrison B. Prosper, Kirby W. Kemper Professor of Physics, Florida State University Robert Raze, Professor, College of Education, St. Petersburg College Paul Ruscher, Associate Professor of Meteorology, Florida State University John T. Thompson, Science Consultant Christine Todd-Gibson, Assistant Principal, Miami-Dade County Public Schools Eileen Tramontana, Education and Volunteer Manager Rick Tully, Coordinator: Science & Environmental Education School District of Lee County Andrea L. Valdovinos, District Science Resource Teacher, Duval County Public Schools Horst Wahl, Professor of Physics, Florida State University Debra Walker, Ph.D., Archaeology, Member, Monroe County School Board Rena White, National Board Certified Teacher, Science Lee County, Florida