DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM FOR MAJORS IN EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION: GIVING FUTURE TEACHERS WHAT THEY NEED WITH MINIMAL STRAIN ON DEPARTMENTAL RESOURCES

Ten years have elapsed since the publication of the National Science Education Standards (NSES) (NRC 1996). During this time, many states have adopted their own versions of learning standards (“what all students should know and be able to do”). However, college curricula for the preparation of teachers have not always adjusted to this change in the educational landscape.

The Earth Sciences Department at the SUNY College at Oneonta has long tradition of offering excellent preparation for pre-service teachers of earth science. We have recently modified our curriculum in response to two external stimuli: 1) to align the curriculum with the NSTA Standards for NCATE accreditation of the program and 2) to better address the content and skills in the standards-based curriculum mandated by the New York State Education Department.

This realignment of the curriculum was accomplished through the following steps: 1) Familiarize faculty with the standards-based, high school core curriculum, 2) Base content in the major on the content in the high school core, 3) Utilize existing courses as appropriate, 4) Design new courses as needed around content areas in the high school curriculum, 5) Incorporate at least one course which addresses pedagogical content knowledge, 6) Ensure the rigor of all courses is well beyond the level required to teach the high school core, 7) Verify that each skill required in the high school core is developed and practiced in at least one course in the curriculum, 8) Redesign the major in liberal arts earth science to facilitate dual majoring by education majors (a significant factor in preserving department FTE's), 9) Evaluate the new curriculum in terms of conformity with NCATE criteria, 10) Submit proposed changes to both the campus governance structure and the college's Division of Education.

Recent graduates from the revised program have reported that their preparation for teaching the high school core curriculum was excellent. The Oneonta curriculum is based on the New York State core curriculum, but this document has roots in the NSES. Therefore, our curriculum can serve as a template for other departments that desire to improve or initiate curricula for the preparation of earth science teachers.