The most recent draft of the California Science Framework is available for public review until February 15th, 2003 at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/cilbranch/cfir/survey.html.
The Framework, along with the Science Standards, are THE documents that determine what science curriculum will be taught in California schools. As environmental and outdoor educators, the AEOE Board is seriously concerned that the current draft of theScience Framework moves away from hands-on experiential science education, that it largely fails to integrate environmental science education into the standards, and that it does little to encourage classroom teachers to take their students outside to learn science.
In fact, there is no mention at all in the Framework of Residential Outdoor Science Schools, even though California has the most extensive ROSS network in the country. As many of you know, outdoor schools are an incredible resource where students actually enjoy learning science in a hands-on manner. Since most public and many private outdoor science schools and day programs are adapting their curriculum to support the Science Standards, it is crucial that the Science Framework encourages the use of the ROSS network and the many outdoor science day programs that exist in California.
The AEOE Board strongly urges you to make comments online by February 15th. If we do not express our opinions, then certainly nothing will change, and environmental and outdoor science education may receive even less emphasis in California schools than it currently does.
On the AEOE website are three documents to give you ideas of what sort of comments to make to improve the Science Framework from the point of view of environmental and outdoor science educators. The first is a set of general comments and constructive criticism written by Michael Charnofsky and Kathleen Mitchell for AEOE, California Outdoor School Administrators, and Golden State Environmental Education Consortium: http://www.aeoe.org/online/sf_keypoints.html
The second document provides more specific comments, made by Celeste Royer, the Director of Rancho El Chorro Outdoor Science School: http://www.aeoe.org/online/sf_royer.html.
The third document provides some background information on what is in the Science Framework, and it provides specific comments by COSA Chairperson George Stratman and SCICON Director Rick Mitchell, along with Celeste's comments:http://www.aeoe.org/online/sf_kathleen.html
Please take the time to make both general and specific comments. Making specific suggestions about the Framework is equally important as making general suggestions, since it gives the Science Framework Commission something specific to work with. Please also encourage your coworkers, and the teachers, administrators and parents of the students who attend your outdoor/environmental science program to make comments.
Thank you very much for making your voice heard! Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely, Michael Charnofsky
AEOE Past President
, 760-249-5185/4351
http://www.cde.ca.gov/cilbranch/cfir/survey.html