SOCED Meeting Summary

Spring 2008
New Orleans, LA

The Society Committee on Education (SOCED) met in Subcommittee on Thursday and in full Committee on Friday.

• ACS President Bruce Bursten highlighted the Presidential events taking place in New Orleans and expressed his thanks to the Chairs of SOCED and the Committee on Professional Training for organizing the Presidential symposium on education.
• President Bursten asked the Committee to consider how to make high school teaching careers more attractive, focusing on the issues of compensation and respect.
• ACS President-elect Tom Lane shared his insights gained in conversations with numerous teachers. Five areas of need emerged from these conversations: networks, content in context, support, courage, and time. President-elect Lane asked SOCED members to send him ideas in support of his education initiatives.
• SOCED reviewed a draft statement on Computer Simulations in Academic Laboratory courses. The Committee approved the proposed text and will add relevant references in support of the statement prior to submission to PA&PR and the Board for consideration as an ACS policy statement.
• SOCED discussed the three petitions for action and the one petition for consideration by Council in New Orleans. SOCED voted to take no position on the petitions on Election Procedures 2006, Part 2; Election Procedures for President-Elect and District Director; and Society Affiliate Dues. SOCED voted to endorse the petition on Membership Categories and Requirements.
• The Committee discussed the role of education in complementing and implementing the new ACS strategic plan. Input from the Subcommittees and full Committee will form the basis of SOCED’s response to the Board of Directors by May 1.
• SOCED received an update on the developing Education Division strategic plan, one that will be aligned with the new ACS strategic plan. The Committee provided feedback on the plan and voted to form a task force to write a “white paper” that will provide a vision for the future role of the ACS in science education.
• SOCED heard from the ACS Office of Legislative and Government Affairs on issues related to federal science education policy. The Committee formed two task forces to work on revisions to the current statements on evolution and visas, which will expire at the end of 2008.
• SOCED discussed ways to increase connections with two-year colleges. Suggestions included creating recognition programs, providing resources to facilitate student transfer, fostering the use of the guidelines, and expanding the number of Student Affiliates at two-year colleges.