Curriculum Standards
We see only what we know.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) German poet, dramatist.
High School Graduation Requirements
As Chemistry is built on theory, chemistry education is built on curriculum standards. They provide teachers guidelines for their lessons. They are supposed to entail details of life that children will need to live and thrive in the future. While curriculum standards tell one what should be taught, they do not say how material should be presented. Finding the best ways to present the material is the focus of education. To paraphrase Goethe, standards tell us what we should see.
The United Kingdom
They have adopted national standards. This has not led to a re-emergence of Britain as a world power, but the country hasn't fallen completely into shambles yet either.
Their "A Level" Science Standards can be viewed here:
http://www.ofqual.gov.uk/files/qca-06-2864_science.pdf
How important is a standard with respect to delivery?
I suppose it depends on how you view education. Setting standards is merely saying "Those kids ought to know that." However, merely putting forth standards does not necessarily insure that the standards will be met.
What is more important to the teacher on the line is having a lesson in hand that will help get the point across. It is equally important to the teacher to have an environment that makes the delivery of material a little easier. The school system can help teachers by enrolling kids into classes where they can be successful. The system of education could do a lot to help teachers, but calling for high standards sounds good, so that's that.
So, lets get on with the ways to deliver the material so that it will make the most impact. Standards aside, that is what we hope to do.
Let's look at the tests....
What the American Chemical Society says should have tests
ACS has test in a variety of subject areas. The problem is that ACS wants a little cash for their tests. Click on their site below.
http://chemexams.chem.iastate.edu/materials/exams.cfm?s=343
ACS is involved in the Science Olympiad (held last year in Ankara, Turkey), so if you really want a standard, it is already being set. The problem is trying to meet the standard.
United States
STUFF: Curriculum
Moving toward a national curriculum.
What is needed is a document that describes: 1. what standards will be implemented, and 2. resources that will be needed to implement those standards. Sounds pretty simple, but if you find it among the education drivel, let me know.
In 1996, the National Academy of Science put forth a long document calling for National Standards. If you are interested, Cal State Northridge in allows you to download the document (you will need to be patient).
http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/curriculum/reforms/nses/nses-complete.pdf
New York came out with a document discussing science standards:
Physical Setting/Chemistry - Core Curriculum
AP and IB Chemistry
Advanced Placement Courses or "AP" are offered at many schools.
The NSTA recommended a book from the American
Chemical Society. I found it devoid of any useful information. The reviewer said that the book ",,,insight into providing a learning platform upon which students can develop necessary chemistry skill."
If you want to write a book about chemistry curriculum, write about method that are best to jam those little nuggets of information into the student brain. We do not need to build platforms, we need the tools to deliver the information.
The states standards look remarkably similar.
New York standards are listed above: several others below.
Michigan Science Standard
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/CHEM_HSCE_168205_7.pdf
Arkansas Chemistry
http://arkansased.org/educators/pdf/chemistry_9-Luckily, if you take a look, you find the IB chemistry curriculum is just chemistry that is taught to a group of highly motivated students.12_2005_060508.pdf
California Science Standards (pdf)
This provides a link to the AP Chemistry guidelines The site is designed for teachers who would like to set up an AP chemistry class. This allows the students to take an examination that colleges "may" accept for college chemistry credit. There is an advantage for AP students and the College Board (the body giving the exams) also benefits by charging for the examination.
The IB school designation has been very popular. The subtext is sad, really. It is saying that since American schools are pathetic, we can have an international agency provide us with the
know-how to offer a first-rate degree program. Kids will get a great education in spite of being in the United States. Talk about having to get our act together. The site above is directed to a general IB program site.
The IB Chemistry program is described in the following links: The following link takes you to an interactive IB syllabus.
North Carolina Chemistry Standards (pdf)
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/curriculum/science/scos/2004/chemistry/supportdocument.pdf
The document from N. Carolina has a lot a lot of nice information in it, by the way...
Virginia science standards (pdf)
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/complete/stds_sciencek-12.pdf
Luckily, if you take a look, you find the IB chemistry curriculum is just chemistry that is taught to a group of highly motivated students.
A two-page brief that summarizes the IB chemistry curriculum can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.ibo.org/recognition/resources/documents/SLChemistryBrief1.9.pdf