The Most Pressing Problem in Physics?

Abstract

What do you think is the most pressing problem facing American physics today—the need for a bigger accelerator, more research funds, a better theory of nuclear forces? In a report about to be issued by the Commission on College Physics, a panel on the preparation of physics teachers concludes that one of the most pressing problems in American physics is the shortage of qualified high school physics teachers. They lay the major share of the blame on the physics profession itself, and, in particular, on university physics departments throughout the nation. The report begins with a reference to the 1964 survey conducted by a committee of distinguished physicists for the National Academy of Sciences. Known as the Pake Committee, this group warned, "A severe educational crisis for physics appears to be in the making in our high schools, where the fraction of students having a course in physics—never large in the past—has been seriously declining. It seems most likely that a major cause for the decline .... is the shortage, or even absence, of competent physics teachers in many secondary school systems." A Commission survey in 1966 documented the way in which high school physics teacher training is neglected by the physics departments of our major colleges and universities. The present panel set out to learn how physics departments might be encouraged to create special teacher preparation programs. The report considers the questions: What does a high school teacher need to know? What is a realistic physics teacher curriculum? Where can we find students who may respond to our call? To answer these questions, the panel surveyed present practice in teacher preparation in many physics departments, and solicited the advice of teachers and other consultants. We present here only a brief summary of the report. The detailed statement will soon be available from The Commission on College Physics, 4321 Hartwick Road, College Park, Maryland 20740.