1. Preparing for the Michigan Science Standards
Preparing for the Michigan Science Standards
Where are we now?
Rob Stephenson
STEM Consultant

2. Michigan Science Standards Adoption
The Michigan Science Standard were adopted in November
These standards mirror the Next Generation Science Standards (with a few Michigan specific references).

3. NGSS States
Numerous states, like Massachusetts and Utah, have adopted a variation of NGSS.

4. MDE’s Transition Priorities
Professional Development:
NGSX Trainers train 80,000
Teachers (Negotiate contract with NGSX Providers for )
Shift Classroom Instruction:
Trained teachers “NGSSify
their Current Content”
Three-dimensional learning
Develop and Pilot Assessments

5. Understanding the Shifts
The column on the left reflects traditional science instruction, while that on the right reflects the vision described in the NRC Framework and Michigan Science Standards.

7. Three Dimensional Learning
Science & Engineering Practices
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Cross-Cutting Concepts =

8. The Most Familiar Dimension
Think of this as the “content” or “what students know”.

9. The More Important Dimensions
Teachers need to learn how to integrate these into their current practice.

10. The Power in Three-Dimensional Learning
Results: Achievement by Completion Measured by 3 Tests
(N= 1885 sixth grade students within 22 Detroit Public School classrooms; Songer, Kelcey and Gotwals, 2009)
This slide illustrates the data from a study conducted in DPS by Nancy Songer et.al.
This was a study that examined how teacher’s use of three dimensional teaching strategies affected students performance on various assessments.
The left side of the graph indicates the performance of students and the bottom indicate the percent of intervention activities completed.
As the percentage of “intervention activities” or 3-D teaching increased, so did the students performance on assessments. What is really fascinating is that the students not only did well on standardized item types but performed increasingly well on complex item types such as those that include problem solving and transfer of knowledge.
This study is one source of evidence we can use to ensure that teaching science using 3-D strategies and phenomenon driven inquiry will increase students’ ability to perform on a variety of assessments.

11. MSS Assessment Timeline
Initial field test item clusters written to the new MSS will be available this spring (either through traditional or stand alone field tests).
MDE anticipates that a complete transition to a new MSS aligned test may occur in the Spring of 2020.

12. Tentative Assessment Timeline
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and state law require that we give a state science exam once each in elementary, middle, and high school. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) continues those same requirements.
MDE will continue to give the SAT and the M-STEP Science and Social Studies for 11th Grade
The timeline for the New Michigan Science Standard assessment is:
Spring Field Test New MSS aligned item clusters (Grades 5, 8, 11)
Spring Field Test New MSS aligned item clusters (Grades 5, 8, 11)
Spring Aligned MSS M-STEP assessment (No High Stakes accountability) (Grades 5, 8, 11)
Spring Fully operational MSS assessment (Grades 5, 8, 11)

13. MDE’s Major Assessment Shifts
Move assessments from Grades 4 & 7 → 5 & 8
Practices embedded throughout
Grade 11 and Grade 8 tests to assess the entire band of standards (6-8 ; 9- 12)
Grade 5 test to assess 3-5 grade standards

14. The Complexity of MSS Assessments

15. Where are we as a county?
By the end of this year, we will have run 10 NGSX Cohorts in Ingham.
Suggested training by the Michigan Department of Education
Ten states are actively involved in these trainings.
Originators of the trainings are also authors to the NRC Framework and NGSS/MSS.

16. Number of Teachers Trained in NGSX- By District
Charlotte (Eaton)
Admin
Dansville 11
East Lansing 31
Haslett 17
Holt
Coach
Lansing
Central Office
Leslie 7
Mason
Central Office, 1 Coach, 3 Administrators
Okemos 2
Stockbridge 4
Waverly
Central Office
Webberville 1
Williamston
Central Office
This includes K-12 teachers trained during last spring’s cohorts and the teachers currently signed up through this year’s cohorts.
= 278 Teachers

17. Teacher Testimonials
So I did a science talk today because I was starting our next unit that we have been talking about, “Earth’s Land and Water.” It was so amazing to hear all their thoughts! I love these science talks! Second Grade Dansville Teacher
I’m really enjoying the training, and really happy that our entire HS Science department has signed up to participate next year. I believe this will be the catalyst for major transformations in our science instruction at ELHS!
East Lansing High School Science Department Chair

18. Teacher Testimonials
I just tried my first consensus talk, and it was AWESOME! Hooray! The kids were all like "that was so much fun!"
We are working with matter and I gave the students a ball of clay to "play" with. While "playing" they had to decide if they thought the clay was a solid. I did not give them any definition of a what a solid was. When we came to the carpet they were first disagreeing about whether or not it was a solid, but on their own they came up with the difference that when you stick your hand in water and take it out the water goes back, but with the clay that wouldn't happen. Anyways...the conversation went on with them questioning each other, giving examples, etc. It was so COOL! They came up with these rules for solids on their own:
1. All solids have a shape
2. Solids keep their shape unless a person, or something changes it
And all of this happened in 7 minutes!
Fourth Grade Williamston Teacher

19. Teacher Testimonials
With all of the new and exciting things that I wanted to try this year, I decided to start with an introductory unit to get the students familiar with how the class (physical science) will work. I chose density to introduce the unit. So far it is going really well! I have used labs and other demos to "unpack" the knowledge. I have attached a couple of pictures and a student handout [summary table] that I am trying out this year. This is also a way for me to say thanks for the training last year. I hope to keep learning more!
Charlotte High School Teacher
As you know I am trying to shift toward the NGSS three-dimensional way of doing things this year. Well, I have to say this is the best start to a year in Biology that I have had in a very long time. We started off doing the isopod inquiry lab, which takes a few weeks of data collection at the beginning of each hour, then we continue with content during the class. I have THE MAJORITY of kids in here writing in their lab notebooks before the tardy bell even rings. They are digging it.
Waverly High School Teacher

20. Next Steps

21. Next Steps in Transitioning to MSS
NGSX Training
Administrator Trainings
Division of Performance Expectations/Secondary Course Mapping
Curricular Exploration or working to NGSSify current curriculum (i.e. TCI Science Alive)

22. NGSX Trainings in
There are 6 NGSX cohorts scheduled in Wisdomwhere (open next week)
Maximum of 32 per cohort
Training is intended for all K-12 science teachers.
Each series is five (non consecutive) full days of training.
The study group format is most beneficial during the year so teachers can integrate three-dimensional learning while they learn it.

23. Secondary Department Discussions
It is recommended to conduct facilitated 6-12 science department discussions (preferably after teachers have been trained in NGSX) to:
Divide grade band performance expectations
Consider staffing certification for an integrated vs. domain course structure
Consider semester/trimester course options to provide physical, life, and earth units in a given year
Consider a Physics first model if remaining with traditional domain courses
Examine potential course models (including accelerated models)

24. Curricular Exploration
There is limited NGSS-aligned content currently. Most curriculum stamped “NGSS Aligned” is not. It is repackaged traditional content without the focus on three dimensional learning. The Equip Rubric 3.0 helps to make these holes explicit.
Open Source and fee-based aligned curriculum is currently being developed throughout the country. These are getting closer to 3-dimensional learning.  
This requires some patience with the greater initial impact stemming from helping teachers change their instructional practice.

26. Preparing for the Michigan Science Standards
Thanks for letting me join you today!
Rob Stephenson
STEM Consultant