Illinois Survey of Critical Technologies

Summary of Findings

About the Survey and the Critical Technologies

About the Survey

Profile of Respondents

A total of 1241 Illinois teachers participated in the Critical Technologies Survey. They constitute a representative sample of Illinois’ 16,000 teachers of science and mathematics. The sample included urban, suburban, and rural locations; large and small schools, and all socio-economic levels.

Themes

1. Classroom implementation is limited.

Few Illinois students in grades 6-12 have opportunities to learn about more than one of 26 science and mathematical concepts that businesses and researchers say are emerging as drivers of the new economy.

What teachers told us about classroom implementation

2. It is time to define the “New Basics” in science and mathematics.

The survey spotlights a need to identify the “new basics” in science and mathematics and to decide what should be taught and when. "Traction concepts" show how teachers are answering these questions.

What teachers told us about the "New Basics"

3. Barriers limit classroom implementation and teacher training.

Teachers who want to learn about emerging topics are constrained by time, lack of financial resources and teaching materials, state and local policies, and shortage of opportunities to acquire knowledge and teaching skills.

Summary Tables

The Summary Tables of Total Results reports teachers’ responses in five areas related to 26 critical technologies:

The Summary Tables by Category break out the results by categories.

Implications

Preparing Illinois’ talent pool for global competition in the 21st century will require concerted action by education, business and industry and government.
Read more about implications.

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Summary Report Executive Summary Preface Summary of Findings Research Methodology What Teachers Told Us Survey Items Concept Definitions	Summary of Findings About the Survey and the Critical Technologies About the Survey Profile of Respondents A total of 1241 Illinois teachers participated in the Critical Technologies Survey. They constitute a representative sample of Illinois’ 16,000 teachers of science and mathematics. The sample included urban, suburban, and rural locations; large and small schools, and all socio-economic levels. Snapshot of teachers who responded View demographics, subjects taught, experience Statewide sample Themes 1. Classroom implementation is limited. Few Illinois students in grades 6-12 have opportunities to learn about more than one of 26 science and mathematical concepts that businesses and researchers say are emerging as drivers of the new economy. What teachers told us about classroom implementation 2. It is time to define the “New Basics” in science and mathematics. The survey spotlights a need to identify the “new basics” in science and mathematics and to decide what should be taught and when. "Traction concepts" show how teachers are answering these questions. What teachers told us about the "New Basics" 3. Barriers limit classroom implementation and teacher training. Teachers who want to learn about emerging topics are constrained by time, lack of financial resources and teaching materials, state and local policies, and shortage of opportunities to acquire knowledge and teaching skills. What teachers told us about barriers What teachers told us about learning new content and teaching skills Summary Tables The Summary Tables of Total Results reports teachers’ responses in five areas related to 26 critical technologies: Awareness Familiarity Knowledge Classroom implementation Interest in learning more about the new concepts The Summary Tables by Category break out the results by categories. Biosciences Environmental and Energy Technologies Human Health and Development Information Technology and Communications Materials Science and Advanced Manufacturing Implications Preparing Illinois’ talent pool for global competition in the 21st century will require concerted action by education, business and industry and government. Read more about implications.

Summary Report