Now nearly every content area has developed standards. We asked our teacher members if they thought that the science standards would have an impact on our schools. An overwhelming percentage answered affirmatively. The NSTA membership and other teachers I have talked with are, by and large, very optimistic about the positive impact that science standards can have.
Teachers run a marathon every day from the moment they arrive at school until they leave at night.
There is little time for planning, preparation, or interaction with colleagues. Also, there is little time available for professional development to better prepare teachers in the skills suggested by the standards. Change requires support, both in terms of laboratory equipment and instructional materials, and in terms of human support. Teachers want and need quality instructional materials that go beyond mentioning the science standards to describing and illustrating true integration of them. They also need science education leaders to help them navigate their way through standards-based reform.