Physics first in science education reform

The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), conducted in 1998, shows that while American fourth graders rank second in the world in science, high school seniors rank third worst out of all 21 nations studied. Similarly, in 2000, the National Center for Education Statistics conducted a study, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which showed only one-fifth of high school seniors meet proficiency standards standards were set by NAEP administrators with the help of science educators. These results suggest that American high school science curricula could be more effective. Against this backdrop, many educators are calling for science education reform.