San Diego Science Education Blue Ribbon Task Force
Coastkeeper believes in environmental science education so much that we lead the fight for strong science education in San Diego.
In 2009, our Executive Director Bruce Reznik convened and chaired a San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Science Advisory Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) to evaluate SDUSD’s science curricula and its delivery to the classroom.
Fortunately, since 2000, science education and performance has improved dramatically in SDUSD. The district, which is the second largest school district in California, now ranks competitively with coastal districts and is the most proficient urban district in California in science performance.
Unfortunately, severe state and district education budget cuts, a change in focus by district leadership and two major reorganizations at the district changed the way SDUSD taught science. It left an uncertain future for science education in San Diego.
The BRTF developed a final report and in December 2009 presented their findings and recommendations to the Board of Education. The goal: help SDUSD stay on track to create a world-class science program. You can download and read the report .
In 2010, the BRTF and SDUSD staff will meet to develop an implementation strategy to ensure strong science in San Diego schools that will best prepare students for the educational and job opportunities in the 21st Century economy.
