Next Generation Science Standards

Available January 8-29, 2013
Second Public Draft

Achieve, Inc. has released the second draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a set of voluntary, rigorous, internationally benchmarked science standards, for public review. Tennessee, in conjunction with 25 other states developed the standards, which identify science and engineering practices and content that all K-12 students should master in order to be fully prepared for college and meaningful careers.

The standards themselves and instructions on how to provide feedback are available at http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-science-standards. Comments are welcome until January 29, 2013. Interested students, teachers, scientists, engineers, and parents are encouraged to comment on the second NGSS draft in preparation for the final version of the science standards that is expected to be released in March 2013.

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About the Next Generation Science Standards

The National Research Council, the National Science Teachers Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Achieve embarked on a two-step process to develop the Next Generation Science Standards.

Step One: Getting the Science Right

The National Research Council (NRC), the staff arm of the National Academy of Sciences, began by developing the Framework for K–12 Science Education. The Framework was a critical first step because it is grounded in the most current research on science and science learning and identified the science all K–12 students should know. To undertake this effort, the NRC convened a committee of 18 individuals who are nationally and internationally known in their respective fields. The committee was composed of practicing scientists, including two Nobel laureates, cognitive scientists, science education researchers, and science education standards and policy experts. Design teams, in physical science, life science, earth/space science, and engineering, developed the framework for their respective disciplinary area.

Step Two: States Developing Next Generation Science Standards

In a process managed by Achieve, Inc., 26 states will lead the development of K–12 science standards, rich in content and practice, arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally-benchmarked science education. The NGSS will be based on the Framework and will prepare students for college and careers. The NGSS will be developed collaboratively with states and other stakeholders in science, science education, higher education and industry. Additional review and guidance will be provided by advisory committees composed of nationally-recognized leaders in science and science education as well as business and industry. As part of the development process, the standards will undergo multiple reviews from many stakeholders including two public drafts, allowing all who have a stake in science education an opportunity to inform the development of the standards. This process will produce a set of high quality, college- and career-ready K–12 Next Generation Science Standards ready for state adoption.

Retrieved from: http://www.nextgenscience.org/development-overview on 10/19/2011.

Selected NGSS Web Resources

The NSTA Reader’s Guide to the Framework: This free download of the Reader’s Guide unpacks the three key dimensions of the Framework—scientific and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas in each specific discipline in a way that enables readers to gain a ready grasp of the soon-to-be-released NGSS and how they will differ from the current standards.

Next Generation Science Standards: the official website for the new standards.

Update on the Next Generation Science Standards (January, 2012)

Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards : Framework for K-12 Science Education outlines a broad set of expectations for students in science and engineering in grades K-12. These expectations will inform the development of new standards for K-12 science education and, subsequently, revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development for educators.

Lead States Announcement : read the list of states, including Tennessee, selected to lead the development of the NGSS.

NGSS Writing Team : See the list of 41 people from 26 states whose expertise, dedication, and hard work have been instrumental in the development of the NGSS.

NGSS Fact Sheet : This is a terrific overview in question and answer format of the key issues surrounding the Next Generation Science Standards.

NGSS Glossary : A compilation of terms and definitions you'll encounter when reviewing the NGSS.

Achieve, Inc. : Organization tasked with developing the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) : NGSS update web page.

NSTA Public Draft Feedback: The results of NSTA's comprehensive review of the first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (June 2012)

The State of State Science Standards 2012 : A Thomas B. Fordham Institute report indicating that the K-12 science standards of most states are mediocre, at best, placing America's technological prowess and scientific leadership in jeopardy.

Making the Transition to Scientific and Engineering Practices: Visiting the Potential of the Next Generation Science Standards : In this archived webinar presenters talk about the changes outlined in the new Science Framework and how the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will incorporate these changes in ways that will influence classroom practice. The program outlines the relationship among the NAS Science Framework, the forthcoming NGSS, and the scientific and engineering practices that these documents advance.

Building Capacity in State Science Education (BCSSE) : A project of the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS), BCSSE is designed to provide sustained resources and professional development for the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards.

TnSELA NGSS Modules

NGSS News Feed

"next generation science standards" - Google News

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