Science SOL Institutes Virginia Department of Education Longwood University Virginia Science Education Leadership Association (VSELA) Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST) October 2010

Plan for the Day 1)Overview of SOL review process and SOL documents 2) Overview of major changes in SOL 3) Vertical Strand Alignment 4) Scientific Inquiry 5) Nature of Science 6) Expectations

Code of Virginia § :1. Standard 1. Instructional programs supporting the Standards of Learning and other educational objectives. The Board of Education shall establish educational objectives known as the Standards of Learning, which shall form the core of Virginia's educational program, and other educational objectives, which together are designed to ensure the development of the skills that are necessary for success in school and for preparation for life in the years beyond.

Standards of Learning Program In 1995, the Board of Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia took an important step to raise the expectations for all students in public schools by adopting new Standards of Learning in the areas of English, mathematics, history and social science, science, and computer/technology.

Timeline for Review Code of Virginia § :1-2. By October 1, 2000, the Board of Education shall establish a regular schedule, in a manner it deems appropriate, for the review, and revision as may be necessary, of the Standards of Learning in all subject areas. Such review of each subject area shall occur at least once every seven years. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the board from conducting such review and revision on a more frequent basis.

Science SOL Review The Science Standards of Learning were revised in The Virginia Board of Education scheduled and authorized a review to be completed by February 2010.

Science SOL Development and Revision The development and revisions of the Standards of Learning were the result of broad ‑ based representation of Virginians, including: –educators –school boards –professional organizations –parents –community leaders –special interest groups business and industry Institutions of higher education In addition, national experts were consulted, and public hearings were conducted across the state to garner public comments.

Science SOL Review Started in January days of public comment Summer committees  Teacher/division  Higher Ed/State Agencies  Business/Industry

Committee Guidelines The review of the Science Standards of Learning should ensure: – accuracy of science context and content; – clear and concise standards; – fair and balanced standards; – balanced amount of course content; – chronological and coherent sequence development; – development of related themes and topics; and – development of skills to prepare students for the 21st century.

Science SOL Review Timeline First review at October 22, 2009 Board of Education meeting –Followed by 30 days of public comment and public hearings Revised SOL approved at Board of Education meeting on January 14, 2010 Final version posted at nce/review.shtml nce/review.shtml Announced via Supt. Memo # _memos/2010/ shtml _memos/2010/ shtml

Implementation Begin / Full implementation Field-test items on Spring 2012 SOL test will be from 2010 Science SOL All items on Spring 2013 SOL test will be from 2010 Science SOL Science SOL Review Timeline

Curriculum Framework Committee met in June 2010 First Review on September 23, days public comment Final Review on November 18, 2010 Final version available Feb/March 2011 Science SOL Review Timeline

Summary of Changes  Use consistent terminology and content in vertical alignment of the standards  Update standards to include references to additional energy sources  Move examples and details to the Curriculum Framework  The.1 stem for the majority of the K-12 SOL changed to include the “nature of science.”  Real world applications added to.1 SOL

Revisions to SOL: K-12 Introduction Added on link to all SOL on website Preface Additional goal added related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (#8) Application section added

Revisions to SOL: Elementary K-5 Overall Revisions revised order of the.1 standard strong emphasis on the use of data consistency of vocabulary

Revisions to SOL: Elementary Kindergarten K.6 (added): Living and Nonliving Grade One 1.1e: nonstandard measurement only, measurement of temperature added 1.6b: Earth’s rotation removed 1.6c: relative position of the sun

Revisions to SOL: Elementary Grade Two 2.1e: standard measurement using both metric and standard English units 2.3a: distinguishing characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases 2.5d: study of fossils added 2.6b: weather data interpretation 2.6c: weather data used over time

Revisions to SOL: Elementary Grade Three 3.1e: measurement in both metric and standard English units 3.1l: models 3.1m: use of current applications

Revisions to SOL: Elementary Grade Four 4.1c: metric units only 4.1d: elapsed time measured 4.1f: independent and dependent variables, and constants 4.1l: models 4.1m: current applications 4.7: introduction to the solar system

Revisions to SOL: Elementary Grade Five 5.1j: models 5.1k: current applications 5.2a: compression waves 5.3a: transverse waves 5.3e: historical contributions to understanding light removed 5.7f: deposition added

Revisions to SOL: Middle School Grade Six 6.1i: addition of simulations 6.1d: manipulated and responding 6.4d: electrical forces (bonds) 6.5: thermal energy 6.5e: removal of origin of water on Earth 6.8a: dwarf planets

Life Science Metric units added to the introduction LS.1b: moved from Grade 6 LS.1c: equipment LS.1d: simulations LS.4 (old): removed this SOL LS.4: added domains Revisions to SOL: Middle School

Physical Science Metric units added to the introduction PS.1m: models and simulations PS.6 & 7: thermal energy PS.9a: specified as in PS.8a PS.10d: focus on applications Revisions to SOL: Middle School

Revisions to SOL: High School Earth Science ES.1c,d: maps, globes, imagery ES.3: content moved to.1 or framework ES.7a: moved to framework ES.11d: climate

Biology BIO.1i: modeling and simulation BIO.1k: law BIO.2 (old): moved to different SOL BIO.3e: surface area to volume ratio BIO.4: domains BIO.8e: Chesapeake Bay Revisions to SOL: High School

Chemistry CH.4: move to other SOL CH.6: organic and biochemistry Revisions to SOL: High School

Physics Engineering mentioned in introduction PH.1: design process PH.7 (old): fluids deleted PH.11 (old): optics deleted PH.10: technological applications PH.12: nanotechnology Revisions to SOL: High School