Developing Next- Generation Science Standards Jean B. Slattery Ed.D. Achieve May 6, 2010

Next Generation Science Standards 2 “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 ? 3 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 Achieve | 2010

Why a Conceptual Framework? 4 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 Achieve | 2010

5 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 & NRC Common 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 GroupStandards Development Advisory Group 6Achieve | 2010

A Framework based on Research on Learning and Teaching 7Achieve | 2010

8 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” 9 Different document grain size Different authoring organizations Different development process Different feedback process Different purpose Achieve | 2010

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. 10Achieve | 2010

Benchmarking Standards Internationally 11 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 Achieve | 2010

Major Milestones 12Achieve | 2010 PhaseTaskDate 1Framework Development & Standards Development Planning Fall 2009-Spring Public Vetting of the Draft Framework & Pre-work on Standards Development Summer Framework Revision Based on Public CommentLate Summer Formal Review of Revised FrameworkFall/Winter Public Release & Dissemination of FrameworkWinter Development of Draft StandardsWinter 2010-Spring Public Vetting of the Draft StandardsApril-May Revision based on Public CommentJune-September Final Review of Draft StandardsOctober-December 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 13Achieve | 2010