 John Legg, Chair of the Florida House of Representatives PreK-12 Policy Committee, answered questions on a “live chat” show on the St Pete Times GradeBook blog yesterday. One of the questions was presented on behalf of Paul Cottle a FSU professor and friend of FCS. Here is Leggs response.
Question:
Here’s a question submitted by FSU professor Paul Cottle: Representative Fresen’s bill on high school graduation standards, HB 61, would leave Florida behind Alabama, Georgia, and even Mississippi in science. Each of those states requires four science courses for graduation, and HB 61 would only require three (as is presently the case here in Florida). Recently released ACT results already show we are not competing well with those states in high school science. Is science a low priority in Florida’s high schools? If not, what are your plans for catching up with our neighboring states in high school science?John Legg:Â Â
Currently, the 11th grade science FCAT does not factor into a student’s graduation – so schools may have been penalized for students who don’t take the test seriously.  Last year, the House passed legislation that would replace the science FCAT with an end-of course exam, required for graduation.  Science is an important component of a student’s high school education.  Hopefully, this year, the Senate will take up this bill as well. ÂQuestion:
Is science just the first step toward meaningful end of course exams? How can Florida afford to create those right now?John Legg:Â Â
Yes, I think end of course exams are valuable measurement of what students learn at the high school level.  Other states, such as New York, Virginia and Texas, have existing end of course exams already designed and tested, thus the cost should minimal for Florida.
Â
Question:
And what about adding a fourth year science requirement for graduation? Isn’t that important if we’re urging students to compete internationally on science and math?ÂJohn Legg:Â Â
That issue is something of importance – this year our committee is going to be examining all high school courses and graduation requirements to make sure our students can compete internationally.
We at the FCS are not impressed, as Brandon remarked “Just a lot of vague answers and vaguer promises.”
A couple of observations about this exchange:
1) Jeff Solochek did a nice job pressing the issue of the four science course requirement.
2) Rep. Legg mentioned sharing exams with other states, an idea that seems to have first appeared in the white paper on high school science graduation standards that was written and signed by 90 Florida science professors. So maybe the message is getting through a little. (Although the mention of sharing science exams with Texas worries me a bit)
3) If the exchange served to plant a seed about the four course requirement in Rep. Legg’s head, then it was useful.
I guess we just keep pounding on this issue!
If you do a little investigating we will find that Rep.Legg has connections that are very questionable when it comes to science education. He was presented with the “Christian Coalition of Florida Faith and Family Award†Other recipients just happen to be Ronda Storms, R- Valrico and Stephen Wise, R- Jacksonville. The awards were presented by Mike Huckabee (evolution denier) Strange “bed fellows†for some one who is interested in “real†science education?