TWU and UNT Host Chemistry Symposium

In an attempt to address issues of college readiness and curriculum alignment (CCRS) in the north Texas region, TWU and UNT, recently hosted a chemistry symposium moderated by Dr. Diana Mason (UNT Department of Chemistry) on Saturday, July 18, 2009. 

The symposium was very well received and provided valuable insights into the work going on throughout the State.

Approximately 60 "ChemEders" met at the University of North Texas – Dallas to discuss P-16 curriculum alignment in the state of Texas.

More on:   College & Career Readiness Standards (CCRS)   
                 Texas College & Career Readiness Program

Highlights

• The symposium provided an introduction to the changes that are occurring in the State that will directly affect the teaching on chemistry at the high school level. Dr. Deborah Koeck delivered the keynote address on the alignment of the new Chemistry Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) and the newly adopted College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).
  
  
• A teacher panel addressed many of the concerns of dual enrollment and acceptance of AP chemistry credit. The panel, moderated by Dr. Vickie Williamson of TAMU, consisted of Jo King from Amarillo, Jaime Noles from Aubrey ISD, and Robyn Ford and Kris Sherman from Denton ISD. The discussions provided opportunity for exchange among chemistry teachers from all over the state.
  
  
•  In addition to chemistry readiness, concerns of readiness in mathematics were addressed by almost everyone. Kathy Mittag (UTSA) and Araceli Ortiz (THECB) presented data supporting the strong relationship between mathematics proficiency and success in chemistry and outlined the work of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to reduce barriers within the P-16 education pipeline. 
  
  
• An innovative “speed lunch,” moderated by Bob Shelton (TWU/UNT), provided participants with a fun and informative experience.  Every 7 minutes the seven table leaders moved from one table to the next interfacing with all the attendees on the timely topics of university readiness (Dick Sheardy, TWU), dual credit and mathematics readiness (Elizabeth Howell, NCTC), career readiness (Kirk Hunter, TSTC), 2-year college readiness (Thom José, Blinn), laboratory readiness (Cynthia Powell, ACU), and assessment readiness (Lauri McDonald, Highland Park High School).
  
  
• The gap analysis in science education has been completed.  The implementation phase of the process is now underway, with plans made to: develop instructional strategies, provide professional development for pre-service and in-service teachers, and create online support materials that will support classroom instruction. Dr. Amina El-Ashmawy addressed the perspective of being “college ready” at the 2-year college level stressing the importance of mathematics readiness, and Kirk Hunter addressed workforce readiness from a technical college perspective. With the study of chemistry becoming virtually a required course for all high school students, the concerns are great.