What Teachers Need to Know about


The Metric System

1.Teachers should teach using only the Metric System.

2.Use rulers and measuring tools that have only metric scale units.

3.Teach measurement and physical quantities using materials and examples that the students can see and touch.

4.Select, estimate, compare and use appropriate units to measure: length (meter/centimeter); mass (kilograms/grams); volume (liter/milliliter); temperature (degree/Celsius).

Universities and Colleges that educate elementary school teachers should teach the system and how to use it. The change to the metric system is for all  people and all disciplines (not just science, engineering & math).

What South Carolina needs: A Certified Metric Specialist in each of the 1,645 Schools in South Carolina. If you want to learn how to become a Certified Metric Specialist, write: Dr. Don Jordan/College of Arts & Sciences/Science Education Center/Sumwalt Room 323/USC/Columbia SC 29208


  ** Governor's Proclamation 2006 ** (pdf) 

METRIC WEEK

Past Proclamations


Certified Metric Specialists for South Carolina

Certified Metrication Specialist (CMS) Program

The United States Metric Association (USMA) CMS Program is designed to provide documentary evidence for individuals who can qualify as metric specialists because of their education and experience in the use of the modernized metric system known as SI ( systeme international d'unites).

The CMS program is structured to help maintain professional standards in the field of metrication. With the United States' conversion to SI, companies, schools, agencies, businesses and other organizations will seek personnel who, in addition to their other job skills, are also knowledgeable about SI.  The USMA CMS Program is designed to give both employers and employees the documented evidence that an individual's qualifications have been carefully screened to verify that he or she has the background and ability to use the SI version of the metric system correctly.

The South Carolina version of the CMS Program encourages each school superintendent in the state to recommend one person from his/her district to be certified. Ideally the goal is for each of South Carolina's 1,055 schools to employ a Certified Metric Specialist.


Outline for South Carolina Educators - CMS

South Carolina applicants should follow these procedures:

  1. Obtain information (including a CMS packet) about CMS Program

  2. Fill out application form and include as references

    1. Immediate Supervisor

    2. School District Superintendent

    3. USMA Eastern Director, Don Jordan

  3. List courses taught, number of years of teaching experience and at what levels (elementary, middle, high school, post-secondary).

  4. Make arrangements to take CMS Exam (80% is passing score) by requesting a test be given at one of the following events:

    1. At SCJAS Workshop sites

    2. At SCAS/SCJAS Annual Meeting site

    3. At SCSC or SCCTM Annual Meeting

    4. by special appointment

    You may schedule your exam at one of several sites across the state. Contact: Dr. Don Jordan / College of Arts & Sciences / USC / Science Education Center / Columbia SC 29208
    Email: jordan@gwm.sc.edu or call: 803-777-7007

  5. Checks should be made payable to USMA CMS Program. This fee ($25.00) can be paid at the time of the exam. 
    Note: Normal fee is $65.00.

          CMS score results are confidential.

Names of successful candidates will be added to all USMA lists and, for South Carolina educators, names will be published in both the SCJAS Newsletter and the SCAS Newsletter. Names will also be forwarded to the State Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the United States Department of Commerce.
SCSC South Carolina Science Council 
SCAS South Carolina Academy of Science
SCJAS South Carolina Junior Academy of Science 
SCCTM South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics
USMA United States Metric Association 

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