Although the grant's chief focus is fostering scientific literacy, a broader goal is to develop students' critical-thinking skills. It's another to know how to use it to better yourself, to improve something, to solve a problem. Standards and Structure U nlike some other states, Illinois has not required any continuing education of its K-12 teachers. Legislation that goes into effect in February 2000 will change that. Teachers will now have to put together their own professional development plans, which must be approved by a committee of teachers and administrators.
Education reform is a land where standards have been popping up like dandelions in spring.
In addition to the National Board, national organizations for various disciplines, such as math and English, have been drafting new content standards. The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has updated its accreditation requirements to align teacher education programs with these efforts and with National Board principles. Here at home, Illinois, which adopted new learning standards for K-12 students in 1997, is now developing content and professional standards for teacher education programs. SIUC faculty in several departments are contributing to this effort, heading or assisting statewide panels on early childhood education, elementary education, social studies, business education, and special education. The nine programs will serve as models for the rest of the state.