Host: Spencer Michels

A little-known proposal from Governor Jerry Brown would eliminate the state’s mandate that all high school students get two years of science education. Sacramento says it’s in the name of fixing the budget. But many argue that subjects like science and math are only rising in importance, and nixing science is too high a price to pay.

We examine the state of science in California’s public schools.

Guests:

• Caleb Cheung, science manager for the Oakland Unified School District
• H.D. Palmer, deputy director, external affairs for the California Department of Finance
• Kerry Benefield, reporter for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat
• Rick Pomeroy, professor in the UC Davis School of Education, president of the California Science Teachers Association and former science teacher for 20 years