Vision Alignment:
Commitment: Sow the seeds of our future prosperity.
Goal(s): San Mateo County attracts and maintains leading-edge industries; The skill level of new employees rises with improved K-12 education and training options.
Background
Task Force on Improving Access to Educational Opportunities
In 2002, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors initiated a Task Force on Improving Access to Educational Opportunities. Along with local government representatives, participants from industry, labor and education communities worked over several months to identify existing and emerging employment gaps in San Mateo County and the Bay Area region; and to make recommendations on ways to improve workforce training, skill development and educational programs to bridge these gaps. That Task Force identified a significant workforce gap in the areas of biotechnology, bioscience, technology and health care professionals.
Among the Task Force recommendations was the need to promote student achievement and excellence in math and science to ensure San Mateo County youth are competitive, are prepared to fill “gap” employment opportunities and, moreover, are able to be future innovators to continue to grow the County and Bay Area regional economies. Acting on the recommendations, Supervisors Mark Church and Rose Jacobs Gibson initiated a work group of education officials to explore the most effective County partnership to promote and improve student achievement and teacher excellence in math and science. That work group recommended an analysis of student achievement be completed and pilot project(s) be conducted to determine next steps.
Math/Science Test Scores
Over the past two years, several reports have claimed that globally American student test scores are comparable in the first three years of school. However, fourth grade test scores indicate that American students’ math and science scores begin to lag. Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is helping to pace US achievement internationally.
A preliminary review of San Mateo County student math and science test scores was completed this year. A copy of that analysis is attached. Additionally, math and science test scores were included in the County’s 2005 Update of Progress Measures, Shared Vision 2010 report. This analysis provides comparisons of math and science achievement within the County and with statewide test scores.
Pilot Projects: San Mateo County Crime Lab/Forensic Science Education
With the assistance and support of the San Mateo County Sheriff, the County conducted a pilot math/science Forensic Science Pilot Project in cooperation with the San Mateo County Crime Laboratory criminalists. A fifth grade class of 25 students from St. Matthews Episcopal Day School in San Mateo received instruction on forensic science from the Sheriff’s chief forensic criminalist. With the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office forensic criminalist, a hands-on forensic science investigation of a “crime scene” staged on the school grounds was completed. Students were required to put their classroom instruction into practice. Students investigated and reported on the actual crime scene by documenting the scene, taking measurements and applying their new science. Finally, the students were taken on a field trip to the San Mateo County Forensics (Crime) Laboratory. That field trip allowed the students first hand knowledge and application of forensic science.
The positive outcomes from the pilot project demonstrate the valuable hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that are afforded by availing teachers and students to the numerous County professions, programs and services that rely upon technology and that require math and science competence and expertise.
Stanford University: 2005 Summer Program of Professional Development for High School Science Teachers
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors appropriated $7,000 to sponsor Mr. Jimmy Ikeda, San Mateo High School science teacher, to attend and participate in Stanford University’s innovative summer program. Stanford’s Summer Program of Professional Development for High School Teachers was designed to “re-excite” teachers about the wonders of science, to provide teachers with “hands-on” research experience, to allow teachers to become learners again, to explore new ideas about teaching and learning, and to help teachers learn about new area of scientific research. Most importantly, Stanford’s innovative program was designed to support science teachers in their critically important jobs of training the next generation of America’s scientists and engineers. A summary of that program is attached.
Innovation Fund Established
Additionally, as part of the 2005-06 Budget, we established a $25,000 Innovation Fund. Those funds will be used to leverage and match funds from others in the community, including the business community, to join the County in supporting innovative efforts to promote student achievement and teacher excellence in math and science in San Mateo County.
In partnership with the San Mateo County Office of Education, a request for proposal (RFP) was issued in May 2005 to fifth grade teachers in lower performing schools throughout San Mateo County. Fifteen teachers responded to the RFP with proposals to fund equipment and/or training to improve math and science instruction.
Five awards were made in FY 2005-06 to fund the following projects:
§ Panorama Elementary School (Brisbane Elementary District) MSI: KIDs (Mystery Solution for Kids);
§ Pescadero Elementary School (La Honda-Pescadero unified School District) to develop a student monitored and reported weather station;
§ Adelante Spanish Immersion School (Redwood City Elementary School District) hands-on science and technology project;
§ El Crystal Elementary School (San Bruno Park Elementary School District) to expand equipment and use of classroom technology including a Scope on a Rope (SOAR) Analog Microscope;
§ North Shoreview Elementary School (San Mateo-Foster City School District) to expand focus on solar system and oceanography including a field trip to San Mateo County’s Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.
Outcomes
Each project submitted a final report on the outcomes and benefits resulting from the project, reporting:
§ The equipment and materials afforded under the grant “not only strengthened the science knowledge of our Fifth Graders, but has excited and enriched the whole school.” Kelly Greenne, North Shoreview Montessori;
§ The science grant “significantly increased my students’ capacity to learn as well as my effectiveness as a teacher.” Sami Ahn, El Crystal Elementary School;
§ With the help of the science grant “my students have actively participated in numerous hands-on, inquiry-based science projects. The grant allowed me to purchase reading materials, videos and games, such as the water cycle game and Planet Quest, which have deepened student understanding of science and engaged students.” Austyn Fudge, Adelante School;
§ In addition to purchasing books and lab equipment, Mystery Solutions Investigations: KIDS afforded the Brisbane area students to take field trips to the Lawrence Hall of Science and the San Mateo County Forensic Laboratory; and
§ Pescadero Elementary was able to establish a new weather station, the furthest reporting station south on the coastside in San Mateo County. Students will be able to use this educational equipment for years to come as they gather data used for reporting by KPIX Channel 5.
While the grants were one-time, the majority of the funds were used to purchase books, science equipment and materials that will be used by students in the five schools for years to come.
Fiscal Impact
The San Mateo County Math/Science Pilot Project had a total cost of $32,000 from the County General Fund.
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