Developing Next-Generation Science StandardsJean B. Slattery Ed.D.AchieveMay 6, 2010

Next Generation Science Standards

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“The nation’s capacity to innovate for economic growth, and the ability of American workers to thrive in the global economy depend on a broad foundation of math and science learning, as do our hopes for preserving a vibrant democracy and the promise of social mobility for young people that lie at the heart of the American dream.” -- Carnegie Corporation of New York and Institute for Advanced Study.

Source: The Opportunity Equation: Transforming Mathematics and Science Education for Citizenship and the Global Economy, Exec Sum, pg. vii. ©2009 by Carnegie Corporation of New York and Institute for Advanced Study.

National Research Council (NRC) will create a conceptual framework for the new standards that will identify and articulate the core ideas in science.

Achieve will take the lead in developing the standards document, consistent with the guidelines from the framework.

The NRC and Achieve will complete this work in partnership with the AAAS and NSTA.

Why New Science Standards ?

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NSES and AAAS Benchmarks for Science Literacy are over 10 years old

New developments in cognitive science

Rapid advances in the natural sciences and engineering

Calls for new, internationally-benchmarked standards

Change in political climate---Advent of common core standards in English language arts and mathematics

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Why a Conceptual Framework?

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Provide intellectual guidance for the standards

Blend current understanding of teaching and learning with new developments in science

Decouple what is otherwise an enormously complex and challenging task

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The Framework and Standards will

Impart a coherent and sharpened focus on the core ideas of the major fields

Take into consideration the knowledge and skills required for science literacy, college readiness, and for pursuing further study in STEM fields

Integrate conceptual knowledge and science practices

Base decisions on evidence—to the degree possible—as well as on professional judgment

Reflect the expectations that high-performing countries hold for students

Provide a platform for the development of aligned, high quality assessments, curricula and instructional materials.

Achieve & NRCCommon Understandings

Nested Organizational Structure

Strategic Direction Group (Leaders -National Academies, Achieve, AAAS and NSTA)

Collaborative Partner Group (Staff –NRC, Achieve, AAAS, NSTA)

National Research Council (NRC) Study Group

Standards Development Advisory Group

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A Framework based on Research on Learning and Teaching

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Framework

Led by an NRC Study Committee---scientists and experts on science education, learning sciences, education systems and policy

Supported by 5 Design Teams---Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Science in the Designed World and R&D to identify research needed for future revisions

Draft will be released for public input

Standards

Led by Achieve---Design Team leaders will work with Achieve to translate the conceptual framework into standards

Draft standards will be revised based on public input

NRC Study Committee will review fidelity of standards to framework

How the Framework & Standards will be Developed

Conceptual Framework vs. “Next Generation Science Standards”

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Different document grain size

Different authoring organizations

Different development process

Different feedback process

Different purpose

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Developing and Vetting Next-generation Standards

Conceptual Framework---Achieve will work with NAS, AAAS and NSTA to raise awareness and ensure maximum feedback to draft framework during window for review (July 2010)

Standards---Achieve will engage with key stakeholders and interested parties (chiefs, governors, business, state and districts, higher education, STEM organizations, curriculum specialists, etc.) in the standards development and revision process

The goal is to ensure transparency and to provide widespread opportunities for stakeholders to contribute to and participate.

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Benchmarking Standards Internationally

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Achieve has conducted a study of 10 high-performing/countries of interest’s science standards

This work builds on report, Benchmarking for Success, that Achieve developed with NGA and CCSSO and the study of 12 APEC Economies that Achieve undertook at the request of the U.S. Dept of Education

Methodology was both qualitative and quantitative

Findings were shared with NRC Study Committee to inform the NRC Framework and will be used to inform the standards as well

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Major Milestones

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Phase Task Date

1 Framework Development & Standards Development Planning

Fall 2009-Spring 2010

2 Public Vetting of the Draft Framework & Pre-work on Standards Development

Summer 2010

3 Framework Revision Based on Public Comment Late Summer 2010

4 Formal Review of Revised Framework Fall/Winter 2010

5 Public Release & Dissemination of Framework Winter 2010

6 Development of Draft Standards Winter 2010-Spring 2011

7 Public Vetting of the Draft Standards April-May 2011

8 Revision based on Public Comment June-September 2011

9 Final Review of Draft Standards October-December 2011

10 Public Release and Dissemination of New Science Standards

December 2011

Achieve, Inc., was created by the nation’s governors and business leaders in 1996 following the first National Education Summit.

Achieve is an independent, bipartisan, non-profit organization that helps states raise academic standards, improve assessments, and strengthen accountability to prepare all young people for postsecondary education, work, and citizenship.

Achieve currently is working with 35 states through the American Diploma Project Network to design and implement policies that aim to close the expectations gap.

For more information about Achieve, please visit us at www.achieve.org.

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