The Council of State Science Supervisors will develop a science education database and a telecommunications (computer/telephone) network among the 50 state Departments of Education, the National Science Teachers Association and its affiliates, the National Science Resource Center/National Academy of Sciences, and existing intrastate systems. The computers and peripherals will be donated to the project by IBM. The network will facilitate close working relationships among national, state, and local educational agencies and serve private organizations who wish to use it. The database to be developed and disseminated will include: -abstracts of curriculum guides for all disciplines in science available from all 50 states, -common topics taught in science programs in the states, and valid and reliable assessment items, -a science educator's employment listing, -current certification standards, -calendars of important activity dates of major science education organizations, -position papers concerning effective science teaching, -general science education information of use to teachers, -contemporary legislative and court activities which will impact science education, and -messages and surveys. Information distributed on the primary network will reach teachers in each state through intrastate computer networks or existing intrastate newsletters. Organizations dedicated to improving science education will be contacted and encouraged to link to the network directly, or indirectly through their state science supervisor.
