February 2016 Cedar Post

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cedar post

SANDPOINT HIGH SCHOOL

february 2016 highlights

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top of the class

african adventure

indoor soccer

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volume 93 / issue 6

from shs cedar post .com

MASTER MUSICIAN

Science Standards Stalled SHS takes a more rigorous approach to science than the standards mandate.

On Feb. 2, Idaho legislators convened to discuss a bill that would update Idaho’s science standards; ultimately, the bill failed, resulting in debate amongst educators. story by Cooper King, Editor-in-Chief and photos by Sarah Wells, Photo Editor

“There’s nothing more, in this realm, embarrassing for the state of Idaho” JIM BARTON same material at minimum, regardless of their location or policies. Lawmakers rejected the standards due to concerns of lack of public input even though state documents showed that some of the general public was involved. There was little discussion on what needed fixing, leaving the committee who worked on the standards confused. “You’re talking about people who have no conceptual idea of science, what a scientific theory is, and they just have an agenda they’re trying to drive,” science teacher Jim Barton said. The Cedar Post attempted to contact both Rep.

andpoint High School is home to plenty of musical talent, but few students are involved inmusic as much as senior Ben Waggoner. Perhaps most recognizable as the bass player behind “Hey Baby” in the pep band, Waggoner is involved in many musical groups at Sandpoint High.

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Reed DeMordaunt (R-Eagle) and Sen. Janie WardEngelking (D-Boise) who worked to reject the bill. Neither could be reached for comment. There has been speculation that mention of evolution and global warming could have caused issues for some, although both subjects are in the current state standards. “There’s nothing more, in this realm, embarrassing for the state of Idaho that you still have people that perceive that those [...] issues are remotely controversial in the scheme of science.” Barton said. Idaho ranked 44 out of 52 states and territories in existing science standards according to Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s review in 2012. The low rank cites Idaho’s standards as being poorly written and vague, giving it an overall “F” rating on a scale from “A” - “F” nationally. Even so, the standards will have to wait until at least 2017 before they can be reviewed again. For teachers at Sandpoint High School, this means their curriculum requirements will not change. Instead, Idaho schools will continue with the current standards which were described as “useless for all purposes for which science standards are intended” by the Fordham Institute.

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taught in schools?

“No, your teaching [students] something that goes against their faith or religion.” ANDREW RAIHA

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ducing a student that can jump into this career [STEM]. That can think on their feet or apply scientific concepts,” Brubaker said. Nationally, it is not uncommon for states to have much more specific and detailed descriptions of each learning target. This ensures that schools throughout the state are teaching students the

evolution and >> Should climate change be

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“Yes, even though it might conflict with religous beliefs I feel like it would benefit people because they are learning science.”

TEACHING YOURSELF

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ne of the many alternatives to taking a classes that are offered in the Sandpoint High School course catalog is doing an Independent Study (IS). Independent study allows for students to delve deeper into a subject of their choosing that is not offered at Sandpoint High.

LINDSEY ROBINSON

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ebate was sparked in the academic community when Idaho’s House of Representatives and Senate Education Committee rejected a bill that would require more detailed teaching about evolution and global warming, among other topics, as part of the science standards. A committee of teachers from Idaho worked to modernize Idaho’s science standards, with focus centered on making the guidelines more specific and detailed at each grade level. They also sought to develop standards that could be built upon from elementary school, to middle school, to high school. Idaho’s educational curriculum does not include teaching science in elementary schools, unless the teachers choose to do so. “[One] drawback is I’m getting you guys without having had any elementary science. Or some of you do, but it’s super spotty. There’s no consistency,” science teacher Mamie Brubaker said. Idaho also requires only three years of science in order to graduate while many colleges are looking for four years with one being a math-based science, such as chemistry or physics. “We’re not putting enough funding or the curriculum behind pro-

basicallyspeaking

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“Yes because they are important topics and people should learn and know about them.” JOE SCHAUWECKER

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“I feel like it should be touched on but not a whole unit.” GRACE MEYER

S C I E N C E D E PA R T M E N T RECEIVES GRANT

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he Sandpoint High School science classes have been granted $3,794 from the Columbia Bank. The money was given in order to purchase the Vernier LabPro 2, which are devices and sensors that collect scientific data such as temperature, pH, CO2, and colorimeter.

dates to remember in

march

early release 15 plc 1:15 pm

spring break begins 28 NIC until april 01 (dual credit)

Spring Break April 01 - 10


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