San Diego school students are doing poorly in science compared to the rest of the nation. That’s one of the findings in a report about how young people in 10 of the largest U.S. school districts are doing. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
The Nation’s Report Card shows close to half of fourth-graders in San Diego do not have basic science skills. Nationally, about one-third fall short. In eighth grade, nearly 60 percent fail to meet the standard. That’s well over the national average of 43 percent. Mike Casserly is with the Council for Great City Schools. He says the report is bad news for San Diego and the rest of the nation.
Casserly: Nobody has got any bragging rights here. Everybody is scoring at a level that ought to raise serious concerns.
San Diego Unified’s science director Kim Bess is unhappy with the results, saying more time and attention is needed for science instruction. Austin, Texas scored better than the other nine school districts. Researchers say that’s because Austin educators spend more time teaching the subject in class. Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
