Science and Technology Education for the Middle Years: Frameworks for Curriculum and Instruction.

Overview & Synopsis

In the rising tide of reports proclaiming the need to reform various aspects of education, middle level education has been frequently overlooked. The Study Panel on Curriculum and Instruction of the National Center for Improving Science Education recognizes the critical development that occurs during early adolescence and the current reform toward middle schools. This report is a set of policy recommendations for science curriculum and instruction in middle level schools. Because this report's focus is on science education in middle-level schools, it is more concrete than other national reports. Chapters include: (1) "Introduction," a discussion of the early adolescent learner; (2) "Middle Level Education," a discussion of the history and structure of middle schools; (3) "Science Education at the Middle Level"; (4) "A Conception of Science and Technology for Middle-Level Education"; (5) "Science and Technology Education: Goals for the Middle Level"; (6) "Science and Technology Education: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Skills for the Middle Level"; (7) "Learner-Based Instruction"; (8) "The Learning Environment"; (9) "A Framework for Middle-Level Science and Technology Curriculum and Instruction"; and (10) "Summary and Conclusions." Each chapter contains specific conclusions and recommendations. An annotated bibliography and a list of 124 references are appended. (CW)