Less Than 10 Percent of California's Elementary Schools Teaching Science

Lamorinda residents with current or recent elementary age students may find it hard to believe, but their kids are in the small minority that are still learning about science in the classrooms.

According to the Contra Costa Times, a recent study by the Lawerence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley concluded that only 10 percent of California's elementary schools have a science curriculum.

In interviews with school principals across the state, most site other priorities and budget cuts are the reasons for the lack of focus on science education.

State funding only provides the funds to cover the basics of education, and does not fund non-core programs such as art, music, science, and information science.

Our local parents clubs, and local education foundations are what makes the difference for our kids. With each elementary district offering science with an accredited science teacher, or teacher trained in teaching science.

Our kids are part of the lucky few that have trained specialists, and a consistent science curriculum in fourth and fifth grade.

Some of the findings of the study:

• 85 percent of school districts DO NOT have a science specialist.
• Over 60 percent of teachers have had NO science training in the past three years.
• Only 10 percent of schools have a science curriculum.