High school physics is crucial for STEM careers and STEM college
majors, and for scientific and mathematical literacy.
High school physics is the
chief STEM pathway. STEM jobs are growing twice as fast as other fields.
* Physics is the foundation of all other sciences, most
technology, and most engineering.
* Physics is the most concrete science.
* Physics is everywhere!
* Physics makes math make sense.
* Physics studies the simplest systems; hence it can use more math
than other sciences.
Two policy statements recommending that high school physics be a core course are:
1) ACT policy platform: K-12 (2013):
"ACT research has demonstrated the benefits to student
academic performance of a minimum core
curriculum that includes the following: ... Three years of science, including
rigorous courses in Biology, Chemistry, and PHYSICS [MY CAPS] ... "
http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Policy-Platforms-k-12-online.pdf
2) Position Statement
of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (2012):
ÒPhysics is a gateway course for
post-secondary study in science, medicine, and engineering, as well as an
essential component in the formation of studentsÕ scientific literacy.
Physics classes hone thinking skills. An understanding of physics leads to a
better understanding of other science disciplines. Physics classes help polish
the skills needed to score well on the SAT and ACT. College recruiters
recognize the value of taking high school physics. College success for
virtually all science, computing, engineering, and premedical majors depends in
part on passing physics. The job market for people with skills in physics is
strong. Knowledge of physics is helpful for understanding the arts, politics,
history, and culture.
Currently
only 25% of Black and Hispanic high school students take any course in physics.
Thus many do not even get to the gateway.Ó ...
Quotes: High school physics is crucial for college & career
readiness
The ACT [American College Testing] policy platform: K-12 (2013)
states (on page 8):
"ACT
research has demonstrated the benefits to student academic performance of a minimum core curriculum that includes
the following: ... Three years of
science, including rigorous courses in Biology, Chemistry, and PHYSICS [MY
CAPS] ... " Specifically,
* Students who take the
ACT-recommended core curriculum in high school achieve higher ACT scores than
those who do not. Compared to graduates who do not take the core curriculum,
graduates who take the core curriculum earn composite ACT scores that are, on
average, three points higher. ...
*Compared to high school
graduates who do not take the recommended core curriculum, graduates who take
the core are more likely to be ready for workforce
training programs.Ó
http://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/Policy-Platforms-k-12-online.pdf
ÒÉ
students who take an upper-level sequence of science courses that includes Physics are substantially more likely
to reach the College Readiness Benchmark in Science (24) than students who took
only Biology and Chemistry or less.Ó (ACT 2006, p. 3. 45% are ready vs ~20%), http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED493179.pdf
ÒWe find that
the number of years of a science or math subject taken in high school is
associated with significant increases in STEM career interest, with results
differing by subject. Taking AP courses in science or calculus appear to
have no significant impact on STEM career interest
over that of other advanced, non-AP
courses. Taking calculus, a second year of chemistry, or one or two years of physics all predict large increases
in STEM career interest. Additional years in biology and other
subjects show no such relationship.Ó
Philip M. Sadler et al. (2014).
Science Educator, Vol.23, No.1, pp. 1-13. See Fig. 3.
http://nsela.org/images/stories/scienceeducator/Summer2014/Sadler_231.pdf
ÒÉ students in the highest
levels (Physics I and Chemistry II
or Physics II) are significantly more likely than students in the Chemistry I
only group to obtain a baccalaureate degree in a STEM major. É This finding may
also suggest that Physics I, Physics I with Honors, AP Physics B, or AP Physics
C are higher level courses than comparable Chemistry I courses ...Ó Will
Tyson et al., (2007). Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pathways: High School Science
and Math Coursework and Postsecondary Degree Attainment, Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, Vol. 12, No. 3,
pp. 243-270.
MORE EVIDENCE:
Physics majors score higher than almost all other majors, on the
MCAT. Physics and math majors score highest on the law admission test: the
LSAT. These results show that high school physics is needed to give college
students a jump start to prepare for medicine & law! http://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/mcat-lsat-and-physics-bachelors
Interactive
engagement high school physics
programs (e.g., Modeling Instruction) are
associated with an increase in the number of students who intend to major in
STEM, compared to lecture-based physics. They are highest in the world in science literacy. TIMSS Physics Achievement Comparison Study (2000. Table 15: 47%
intend vs 32% in US. Table A4: 595 mean literacy vs 480 in USA) http://modeling.asu.edu/Evaluations/TIMSS_NSFphysicsStudy99.pdf
MORE REFERENCES on the need for more students to take high school
physics:
High school physics enrollments and availability in U.S.A.
https://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/high-school-physics-courses-enrollments-0
https://www.aip.org/statistics/reports/high-school-physics-availability-0
(Dec. 2016) Compiled by Jane Jackson, ASU Department of Physics.
Jane.jackson@asu.edu
More information at http://modeling.asu.edu
in the section called ÒArizona communityÓ.