Science News in Brief

AP Science Revisions to Undergo Study

By Erik W. Robelen — November 13, 2012 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Recently revamped Advanced Placement offerings in biology and chemistry will be the focus of a four-year, $2.6 million research grant looking at implementation and student outcomes.

The revised AP Biology program took effect this school year, with the revamped AP Chemistry starting up in 2013-14. Key changes in the science courses include covering less content in greater depth and a stronger emphasis on inquiry-based learning.

The research will provide “the first experimental evidence on the effects of taking an inquiry-based science course and whether it affects students’ educational progress and success in ... [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] subjects,” according to a recent press release.

The grant from the National Science Foundation will support work by researchers at the University of Washington, George Washington University, and SRI International. It will involve 40 high schools nationwide, including more than 4,000 11th and 12th grade students.

A version of this article appeared in the November 15, 2012 edition of Education Week as AP Science Revisions to Undergo Study

Events

Mathematics K-12 Essentials Forum Helping Students Succeed in Math
Student Well-Being Live Online Discussion A Seat at the Table: The Power of Emotion Regulation to Drive K-12 Academic Performance and Wellbeing
Wish you could handle emotions better? Learn practical strategies with researcher Marc Brackett and host Peter DeWitt.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Science From Our Research Center Students Say They Care More About STEM as They Get Older. Teachers Disagree
An EdWeek Research Center survey examined student motivation in STEM classes.
3 min read
Cropped from original illustration, silhouetted figures water a blooming STEM flower.
Danny Allison for Education Week
Science From Our Research Center Want to Motivate Students in STEM? The Way You Explain Things Matters
How teachers explain tricky math and science concepts can affect students' motivation in their STEM classes.
7 min read
Silhouetted figures water a blooming STEM flower.
Danny Allison for Education Week
Science From Our Research Center Students Don't Think Cellphones Distract Them From Learning STEM. Teachers Disagree
New surveys of teens and teachers show how far apart the two groups are on this issue.
4 min read
A teacher and student have opposite perspectives on cellphone use in school.
Danny Allison for Education Week
Science Q&A Teachers, Parents, or Peers: Who Motivates Students Most to Pursue STEM?
Encouragement from adults—like teachers, school counselors, and parents—is crucial for motivating students in STEM.
4 min read
A group of students follows their role models towards a bright STEM future.
Danny Allison for Education Week