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Putting Physics First: Three Case Studies Of High School Science Department And Course Sequence Reorganization, Douglas B. Larkin
Putting Physics First: Three Case Studies Of High School Science Department And Course Sequence Reorganization, Douglas B. Larkin
Douglas B. Larkin
This article examines the process of shifting to a “Physics First” sequence in science course offerings at the level of the school district in the United States. This curricular sequence reverses the more common U.S. high school sequence of biology/chemistry/physics, and has gained substantial support in the physics education community over the past few decades. Using qualitative case study methodology, the present study focuses on the lessons learned in three school districts that successfully rearranged their course offerings and made physics a ninth grade subject for all of its students. Findings show that in all districts, the shift was undertaken …