Building a Presence for Science/Science Matters Needs Assessment Surve y 2011-2012

1. Building a Presence for Science/Science Matters Needs Assessment Survey 2011-2012 • Dates Open: March 13- April 10, 2012 • Number of questions- 25 • Number of responses- 628, with 590 completed responses • Number of ESUs participating/number of respondents: see chart

2. 2011-2012 Building a Presence for Science/Science Matters Needs Assessment Survey • Focus groups who informed survey content and format: • Nebraska Association of Teachers of Science Board • ESUSDA- Science Cadre • Nebraska Science Matters Key Leaders • Leadership in NE KICKS Science (LINKS) • UNL and NDE Science Leaders Statewide results are reported for 14 out of 25 questions included in the survey. • Resources used in developing survey questions: • past NE Science Matters Surveys • national trends and science exemplary practices • results from past KICKS and LINKS evaluations • Content for the other 11 questions includes: • DOK • Increasing content knowledge • Science lab • Science instruction • Learning progressions in science • NE sample science curriculum • Additional comments

3. Who are the Science Matters Survey respondents? Years of experience: 0 to 1: 2.9% 2 to 9: 29.8% 10 to 19: 31.7% 20 to 29: 23.1% 30 +: 12.6%

4. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: increasing networking… • Statewide comments summary: • elementary in most need of networking • grade-specific is most helpful • more PD is needed • analyze curriculum based on data about what is working and not working • effective schools research encourages collaboration • competition includes: no time, no money, emphasis on ELA and Math • ESUs are the key to networking support • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

5. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: discussing standards • Statewide comments summary: • need support on how to keep content/skills “fresh” in the minds of students at the grade levels not tested • “practical” information on how to specifically teach the standard • districts: need for a scope and sequence, pacing guide • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

6. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: formative and summative assessments • Statewide comments summary: • science and inquiry are difficult to assess • assess other than paper and pencil • want examples of how to use formative assessments in science • need practice items for NeSA-S • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

7. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: helping elementary teachers integrate science within… math and reading • Statewide comments summary: • reading and math are tools- need more than just reading in and about science • integration helps to get all content/skills addressed • work with vocabulary • some reading and math programs leave little time for anything else • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

8. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: increasing inquiry-based science instruction • Statewide comments summary: • making students accountable is difficult • have great ideas but need support to implement • need to do this more but need experience and training • activity alone does not mean it is inquiry • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

9. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: using technology in the science classroom • Statewide comments summary: • funding and current technology upgrades are a big issue • not enough devices to go around • districts and boards need to understand the importance of use • can get in the way of learning without proper training • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder of the 100%

10. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: integrating elements of effective science instruction • Statewide comments summary: • need experts in the field of science • need to be done during the school year for implementation to occur • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

11. The most pressing issues/needs of science teachers and students in your ESU/district are: participating in professional development/information designed to minimize misconceptions regarding science standards, curriculum and assessment. • Statewide comments summary: • need “outside” help to uncover these • “everyone” needs this; “we don’t know how many misconceptions our students hold” unless we check • need resources and training • Neutral and “not answered” results make up the remainder • of the 100%

12. Building a Presence for Science/Science Matters Needs Assessment Survey 2011-2012 • How will results be shared? • statewide ppt • by ESU • contact Sheree- spandil@esu3.org

13. All ESUs will receive a Summary Report similar to this example. • To request your ESU summary, please contact Sheree Person-Pandil at spandil@esu3.org

14. Report Results Examples Science Matters Survey- 2012

15. Building a Presence for Science/Science Matters Needs Assessment Survey 2011-2012 Special Thanks to: ESUSDA and Science Cadre, KICKS2/LINKS, Jim Woodland, NATS Board, and ESU3- Sue Anderson, Jill Bruckner and Support Staff