Illinois recently adopted new education standards for math and science–the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards, respectively. These programs have been met with opposition and confusion, and misinformation has been spread about them. What do these new standards really say, and what do they mean for our students, communities and educators? Why were they created? Are they an improvement or just the next fad in a long series of programs from meddling government officials?

To answer these questions, we have assembled a panel of experts from all levels of education — education researchers, administrators and classroom teachers–who will speak openly about their opinions of and experience with the new standards.

This program, Decoding the New Science and Math Standards, will feature a panel discussion followed by a Q&A session, where audience members are free to bring up their own questions and concerns.

Sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust, and in partnership with the Skokie Public Library.

PANELISTS:

Michael Lach is the Director of STEM Education Initiatives at the Urban Education Institute at the University of Chicago. Throughout his career, he has been a science teacher, an administrator at Chicago Public Schools, and worked for the US Department of Education. His Ph.D. is from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He will moderate the panel discussion.

Brian Reiser is a Professor of Learning Sciences at Northwestern University. He was a member of the National Research Council committee, where he was involved in making research-based recommendations for improving K-8 science education. These recommendations guided the design of the Next Generation Science Standards. His Ph.D. is from Yale University.

Lynn Narasimhan is a Professor of Mathematics and the Director of the STEM Center at DePaul University. For the past five years, she has been helping teachers implement the Common Core State Standards for math. She received her Ph.D. from Northwestern University.

Kurt Poppenhouse was a math teacher in the Chicago Public School District for 10 years. He has a Master’s Degree in Teaching from National-Lewis University.

Mary Rockrohr is the Instructional Supervisor for Science at Glenbrook North High School, and has been teaching science for almost 20 years. She is co-coordinator of the Illinois Science Education Leadership Association – a professional network of science educators. She has Master’s Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction as well as Educational Leadership from Governors State University.