This week in education news, West Virginia governor signs legislation requiring high school computer science; Hispanics make up 16 percent of the American workforce, but only 6 percent of scientists and engineers; bug-in-ear coaching has been around for decades but in recent years, more and more educators are starting to try it out; America Achieves Educator Networks argues that traditional K-12 curriculums aren’t sufficient for a world in which machines are expected to do 42 percent of labor by 2022; 2018 teacher strikes had minimal impact on state education funding; in statehouses around the country, lawmakers this year have introduced bills seen as threatening instruction on science, including on climate change; new research finds that integrating the arts into science classes can help students learn better; and new “baby PISA” study will measure children’s skills in literacy, numeracy and self-regulation.

W.Va. Gov Signs Bill Mandating High School Computer Science

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has signed legislation requiring students to take computer science classes before graduating high school. Read the article by the Associated Press.

Latino Engineers Want to Encourage More to Pursue STEM Careers

STEM jobs, a crucial part of the global economy, are growing faster than other industries and tend to pay better than the national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Hispanics make up 16 percent of the American workforce, but only 6 percent of scientists and engineers, according to the National Science Foundation. There is ample opportunity in STEM, according to Latino engineers in several fields. Read the article by NBC News Learn.

Astrophysicist Barbie Is Perfect. That’s Not How You Attract More Girls to STEM Careers

The new astrophysicist Barbie, announced by Mattel last month, seems well-intentioned enough: Its goal is to encourage young girls to enter science and engineering fields by wedding Barbie’s glamour and intellectual gusto. In reality, it’s just another cultural message of unattainable perfection, and our messages of perfection for girls are already keeping them out of STEM work at the highest academic levels. Read the article featured in USA Today.

With Bug-in-Ear Coaching, Teachers Get Feedback on the Fly

Michael Young was working one-on-one with a student when he heard a voice: “Maybe pause a little bit longer and wait for the student to respond.” It wasn’t his internal monologue reminding him of something he learned in training. The voice belonged to an instructional coach 50 miles away, who was watching what Young was doing in the classroom through a livestream and communicating via an earpiece. Read the article featured in Education Week.

There’s a Gap in Education that Only Industry Can Fill, Report Says

High schools are teaching students a curriculum that prepares them for a future that doesn’t exist, according a recent report from an education nonprofit. According to the America Achieves Educator Networks if schools can’t understand the future of work, then they need to turn students’ attention to the employers and industry leaders who do. Read the article featured in EdScoop.

Middle School Science Materials Come Up Short in First Review

Just one of six new middle school science series is a good match to a set of national science standards, according to a review conducted by the nonprofit EdReports, which uses teams of teachers to vet learning materials. The good news is the publishing community is really working hard to provide materials teachers can use,” said David Evans, the executive director of the National Science Teachers Association, a membership organization for science educators. “The more challenging part for the community is that it’s really hard to do. Read the article featured in Education Week.

2018 Teacher Protests Had Limited Impact on State Ed Funding

While school spending increased in some states where educators went on strike, an updated analysis finds many finance formulas remain at pre-recession levels. Read the article featured in Education DIVE.

School Lessons Targeted by Climate Change Doubters

A Connecticut lawmaker wants to strike climate change from state science standards. A Virginia legislator worries teachers are indoctrinating students with their personal views on global warming. And an Oklahoma state senator wants educators to be able to introduce alternative viewpoints without fear of losing their jobs. As climate change becomes a hotter topic in American classrooms, politicians around the country are pushing back against the near-universal scientific consensus that global warming is real, dire and man-made. Read the article by the Associated Press.

A New Study Finds That Bringing Arts to the Classroom Can Help Students Succeed in Science

According to new research by John Hopkins University, integrating the arts—like song, movement, and drawing—into science classes can help students learn better, particularly lower-achieving students. Read the article featured on MarthaStewart.com.

Pre-to-3: New ‘Baby PISA’ Study to Include US 5-Year-Olds

New “baby PISA” study will include a sample of 3,000 5-year-olds each in the U.S., England and Estonia. In addition to gathering data on children’s characteristics — such as gender, parents’ socioeconomic level and family makeup — the study will also collect data on children’s “home environment” and on the schools where they attend kindergarten. Researchers will measure children’s skills in literacy, numeracy and self-regulation. Read the article featured in Education DIVE.

Stay tuned for next week’s top education news stories.

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