California: Teaching Hands-On/Minds-On Science Improves Student Achievement in Reading: A Fresno StudyBecause language arts test scores were falling in California, Fresno Unified, the 4th largest school district in California, decided to integrate language arts with their hands-on science classes. Data indicated that students who had been participating for four years in the integrated science/language arts classes show higher SAT-9 reading scores than students who had not. Additionally, it was found that minority ethnic groups' reading scores increased at higher rates than their non-minority counterparts, suggesting that hands-on, inquiry-based science content may provide an effective means of reducing the tenacious achievement gap that has existed between ethnic groups. In all cases, a positive relationship was found between the number of years of FOSS instruction and SAT-9 Reading score gains. Click here to view the full report |