First Public Draft of Next Generation Science Standards Released May 11

[Kim Lightle]

The first draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was released May 11 and will be online for public comment until June 1.

In a process managed by Achieve, 26 states led the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. The NGSS is based on A Framework for K–12 Science Education, issued by the National Research Council last summer, which defines the major practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas that all students should be familiar with by the time they finish high school. A Framework for K–12 Science Education offers a new vision for K–12 education in science and engineering, and represents a significant shift in how these subjects are viewed and taught.

It is expected that the Next Generation Science Standards will have a profound influence on curriculum, assessment, and teacher professional development in the years ahead. Science educators, supervisors, administrators, and anyone interested in shaping the future of science education are strongly encouraged to read and thoroughly review the draft standards and provide comment back to Achieve on their dedicated website.