CPS Students Failing in Science

By aaroncynic in News on Feb 25, 2011 5:20PM

Chicago Public School students are nearly bottoming out in science scores, according to a new study from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The Chicago Tribune reports that, according to the study, eighth grade students scored 27 points lower than others in an understanding of science, while fourth graders scored 24 points lower than other students nationally. Almost three quarters of students failed to meet basic standards.

Experts also say that part of the problem could be that many grade school science teachers don’t have backgrounds in science. The Sun-Times reports that because No Child Left Behind puts a heavy emphasis on test scores, teachers are pushed to give priority to math and reading, leaving little time or resources for proper science curricula. John Loerh, acting CPS science Director told the Sun Times “In what limited time is left for science, it’s difficult for our teachers to give due justice to those things that develop critical thinking.”