The students in the school are much closer to normal US demographics than in schools with astronomy. Here the male/female proportions are 49-51 whereas males slightly led females in the schools with astronomy. Racially/ethnically these schools are a bit more minority with Whites being 63% as opposed to the earlier surveys showing Whites at around 75%, which is closer to US norms. The leading minority group is African American, at 18% of the aggregate of the whole pool of schools. Nearly a third would be classified as high minority schools, much higher than the schools earlier surveyed.

The principals were asked if the lack of an astronomy course was because an existing course was dropped, they wanted one and it was denied, or if to their knowledge they never had one. The latter characterization accounted for 76% of all the schools. For those that stated the course was dropped, the reasons were quite varied: Lack of interest in the student body, teacher who taught the course left or changed job, low enrollments, movements towards more bio/chemistry/physics and a change in education initiatives. The course, at that time in early 2008, had last been offered generally 3-6 years earlier.

The main results are in the responses to three open ended questions: briefly, what conditions would have to be met to put in an astronomy course, what would it take to increase the number of astronomy courses in the United States, and what purpose would such a course serve.

What would it take (i.e. what conditions or requirements who have to be met) for you to okay an astronomy course to be offered?

Nearly half of all the principals said the primary need to satisfy in order to offer the course was a teacher (27 out of 64). Secondly, students, either in sufficient enrollments or showing enough interest to start, account for 17 of the responses. Interestingly, the third highest response was money (9) but for what was not stated. Following these three are room in the schedule, approval by higher levels of administration (local, district or state), various material and curricular needs such as a textbook, approved curriculum, classroom space, and alignment with tests or standards.

Some of the comments provided in additional space on the questionnaires are enlightening. Adding an astronomy course would be easier if it could count as a lab course. To offer the course, test scores must be higher. To offer the course, test scores must be lower(!). A better student-teacher ratio would free up teachers to teach the course.

What objective, if any, would an astronomy course meet in your curriculum? What would it do for your school or students?

If a course were to be added, then certain educational objectives would have to met. By far, the largest objective would be that it would add an additional science elective to the school offerings (31 mentions). As an additional elective it would "increase course offering diversity and enrich curriculum" said one survey respondent. (There are many other competing courses in this diversity that also effect enrollments. In earlier surveys we had been told by some teachers that competition from other electives affected enrollments in astronomy. We asked our pool of principals for the names of all the other science electives they offered; they are listed in rank order in Appendix A.) In some cases astronomy adds a fourth year science. In three cases each the additional course would be used as an advanced science, or a lab course.

Smaller positive responses to this question include that it would help the school and its AYP status, especially in the few schools that mentioned that astronomy is in the state standards or state tests. It stimulates student interest in science, and students have requested it.

Another positive objective met would be what an astronomy course could accomplish; specifically mentioned were good use of local sky, teach applications of science, teach content that isn't taught elsewhere and helps the student understand the real world around them.

Certain responses were given as to what inhibits having the course meet these objectives. The course is an expense. As a fourth year course it would be beyond some states testing times therefore of no help to AYP. There are not enough teachers, or 'enough interested teachers' to do the job even if the school wanted it. Several principals mentioned aspects of the states' standards that inhibit the course's existence: standards need to be rives, they aren't in the standards at all, standards in fact limit new electives, and it isn't relevant to high schools.

What can be done (or would have to be done) to increase the number of astronomy courses in the US?

Thinking beyond the local scene, the survey principals' responses to what it would take to make astronomy more of a component of science curricula around the country fall into three main areas: Making astronomy important and acceptable to various groups, more teachers and more help for teachers, and Other.

Astronomy needs to be seen as important to different groups, most notably Federal and State level personnel, including both Department of Education officials and legislators at both levels. Colleges were felt also in need of seeing the science as something of value. At least one response indicated that it would grow in enrollment numbers if the Advanced Placement people made an astronomy course.

More teachers are needed nationwide, and more help for them, including higher salaries and, even more, more workshops, preparation and certification.

The Other category included more collaborations with colleges, more technology support and more astronomy on exams and in standards, improve the prior science and astronomy knowledge of students before they get to high school or take the course, and some curricular changes, such as easing tight schedules in other science courses and fitting the overall curriculum of science in our schools.

SUMMARY

Such a course would help the school in several ways, but principally as a new, extra elective. As such it would "increase course offering diversity and enrich curriculum." Astronomy teaches applications of science, teach content that isn't taught elsewhere and helps the student understand the real world around them. In some cases astronomy adds a fourth year science. Astronomy can help the school and its AYP status, and it stimulates student interest in science.

Both principals and teachers agree that to increase the number of astronomy courses nationwide, astronomy must be made to be seen as important and acceptable to various external groups, particularly Federal and State level education officials and legislators, and colleges. There is a significant need for more teachers and more help for teachers in terms of money and professional development workshops, preparation and certification.

Copyright 2009 Dr. Larry Krumenaker