Olympia

Science Task Force

During the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 School years, science teachers, administrators and parents from across the Olympia School District will be working together as members of the K-12 Science Task Force to make recommendations on how to improve the science program in our District.

Task Force Membership Structure: There will be one representative from every school and two from each comprehensive high school (20 members), Olympia School District Teaching and Learning Staff, including department secretary (2-3 members), one special education teacher (1 member), one principal from each grade band: elementary school, middle school, high school (3 members), and one parent from each level: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, (4 members). The Task Force will include one member from the Griffin School District. The Olympia School District Curriculum Director will serve as chair of the task force.

Task Force Work Plan: In the first phase of their work, Task Force members will examine state and national trends in science education, analyze student achievement data, discuss barriers to greater student achievement in science, look at current research and best practices in science education and develop a set of belief statements. The Task Force will gather public input on their work and then will make recommendations to improve the K-12 Science program. In 2009, the Superintendent of Public Instruction will publish their list of approved curricular materials for science education. After that decision is made, the Task Force will make recommendations to the School Board on any needed instructional materials for the science curriculum and will put together a professional development plan to coincide with any new materials that are recommended to the Board.

Task Force Meeting Schedule

2008-2009 School Year Meeting Dates:

Feedback from the October 6th, 2008 Community Forum on Science

Feedback from the Science Education Survey

Science- A Way of Thinking

Committment to Science

K-12 Science Task Force Update