ISTA Advocacy Goals & Initiatives

In 2009, the ISTA board updated its mission statement and strategic plan. “To promote excellence in science education in Illinois” is the mission. Advocacy is defined as promoting scientific literacy and the profession of science education. The goal and objectives identified for ADVOCACY are:

GOAL: ISTA will actively emphasize its advocacy for stronger science education at the state, regional, county, district and building levels.

Objective 1: ISTA will be recognized as the research-based advocate and access point for science education policies, positions and resources that substantiate higher quality classroom science teaching and learning in Illinois.
Objective 2: ISTA will support strengthened certification and endorsement processes and policies for teaching science.
Objective 3: ISTA will represent teaching and teachers of science at diverse local, regional and state settings and opportunities.

ISTA ACTION:

Existing and several temporary or ad hoc committees were appointed and/or charged to develop research-based policies or positions and identify means of advocacy for key issues. ISTA plans to collaborate with a number of organizations to advocate improvements in science education.
ISTA has participated and will continue to participate in a wide variety of forums to demonstrate progress made through science teachers and their students learning and carrying out science-based projects in their communities.

Examples of member roles

ISTA members and other professionals need to play a role in how the newly adopted standards for teachers of science will be used to improve the initial and continuing education of teachers.

New recertification requirements have been passed into state law requiring teachers to make professional development central to their vocation. What counts as professional development, how to judge whether a professional development offering is valuable, and where to find good sources for professional development are all issues with which our members are dealing.

There are major issues that can impact teaching in the classroom: ISAT, the new state testing system; implementing Illinois Learning Standards as an integral part of how science is taught; possibly revising ILS; measuring improvement of student learning; and preparing students for unforeseen technological advances and jobs.

Some ways to get involved with advocacy to improve science teaching:

Discuss issues with fellow teachers locally and work on developing a consensus of what needs to be done.
Try new approaches and document changes.
If state level changes are needed, discuss issues with ISTA regional directors and officers.
Draft a research-based position statement and ask ISTA to act on it.
Consider presenting a session at the ISTA conference and work with teachers and researchers statewide.
Volunteer to join an ISTA committee and develop a related policy or position.
Identify methods of making needed changes and implement these methods.