Engaging in Next Generation Science Standards

Amber FarthingProfessional Learning and Program Assistance Coordinator, LASER

Ellen EbertScience Director, OSPI

Here today through generous support from Boeing

Session Goals• Make sense of your work in light of the adoption of the

Next Generation Science Standards.• Understand the major changes that will occur as a result

ofNext Generation Science Standards.

• Deepen understanding of the 3 Dimensions of NGSS through afirst-hand learning experience.

Principles of A Framework for K-12 Science

Education•Children are born investigators •Understanding builds over time •Science and Engineering require both

knowledge and practice •Connecting to students’ interests and

experiences is essential •Instruction focuses on core ideas and practices •Science learning standards promote equity

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Framework OrganizationDimensions of the Framework

– Scientific and Engineering Practices– Crosscutting Concepts– Disciplinary Core Ideas

Realizing the Vision– Integrating the Three Dimensions– Implementation – Equity and Diversity– Guidance for Standards Development– Looking Toward the Future: Research to Inform K-12

Science Education Standards

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Eight Practices– Asking questions and defining

problems– Developing and using models– Planning and carrying out

investigations– Analyzing and interpreting data– Using mathematics and

computational thinking– Constructing Explanations and

Designing Solutions – Engaging in argument from evidence– Obtaining, evaluating, and

communicating information

Seven Crosscutting Conceptso Patternso Cause and effecto Scale, proportion, and

quantityo Systems and system modelso Energy and matter: Flows,

cycles, and conservationo Structure and functiono Stability and change

• Four Disciplinary Core Ideas: Life Science, Physical Science Earth and Space Science Engineering

Learning Conceptualized along Three Dimensions

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Leading to New Educational Standards

Science & Engineering

Practices

CrossCutting

Concepts

DisciplinaryCoreIdeas

Standards are taking the form of performance expectations defined through combinations of elements of the three dimensions that progress across grade levels

WA is a lead state partner2 writers>1000 reviewers during Public Draft Release

NGSS “Lead” States (2011-present)

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Kindergarten NGSS Earth Science Example

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Middle School Earth Science Example

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Note Learning Progression from

kindergarten

High School Earth Science Example

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Note Learning Progression from

middle school

Connection Boxes

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Performance Expectation

States that have adopted standardsNo action yet

States Adopting Next Generation Science StandardsAs of October 4, 2013

WA Science Standards “Evolution”

• Four Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRS)– Systems– Inquiry– Application– Domains

• Life Science• Physical Science• Earth and Space Science

• Science and Engineering Practices– Identifies 8 Practices

• Subsumes WA Inquiry• Disciplinary Core Ideas

– Adds Engineering and Technology

• Subsumes WA Application

• Crosscutting Concepts– Adds 7 crosscutting concepts

• Subsumes WA Systems and Application

Washington Science Standards (2009) Next Generation Science Standards (2013)

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NGSS – The 3 ShiftsFocus:

The NGSS are Focused on deeper understanding and application of science content reflecting real-world interconnectedness.

Coherence:

Science and engineering Build Coherently across K–12.

Integration:

Science and Engineering are Integrated across K–12 in the NGSS.

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Findings

• The vast majority of Washington science standards are fundamentally incorporated into the NGSS.

• There is some movement of disciplinary core ideas between grades at the elementary level, but this realignment goes hand in hand with the goal of not getting ahead of the CCSS-M and CCSS-ELA standards.

• In particular, the Systems, Inquiry and Application standards from Washington’s current standards are well-covered in the NGSS.

• Modest differences exist between the Disciplinary Core Ideas in the NGSS and the Domain standards in Washington’s EALR 4. – Most of the difference involves re-sequencing and an emphasis on current

scientific applications, but there is also a fundamental shift to a deeper focus on fewer topics, much like the CCSS.

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Federal Assessment Requirements

• No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires that our state’s science standards must be assessed:– Once in elementary school (we give Measurements of

Student Progress in 5th grade)– Once in middle school (we give MSP in 8th grade)– Once in high school (we give Biology End-of-Course

exam)

• When we change our state standards in science we need to change assessments

(RCW 28A.655.070).17

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WA State Science Assessment Evolution

Once in elementary;

once in middle;once in HS;exit exam?

(2017?)

Next Generation Science Standards

(2013)

Measurements of Student Progress in

grades 5 & 8 (2011);

Biology End of Course exam in HS,

usually grade 9 or 10 (2012)

New State Science Standards (2009)

Measurements of Student Progress in

grades 5 & 8; High School

Proficiency Exam in grade 10

(2010)

Assessment design changes

WASL comprehensive science test in grades 5, 8, 10

(2006)

Original State Science Standards

(2006)

Transitioning – The 9144m View2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Awareness of NGSS & integrated nature of dimensions

     

  Phase in standards

Continue phasing in standards

Finish phasing in standards

  Examine materials

   

Ongoing: Statewide Coordination and Collaboration to Support Implementation

(Professional Learning Providers and Partners Across WA )

Including:• School Districts• Higher Education• Non-formal education groups• Education and Educator Associations• Business Partners

Washington

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What would a learning experience

be like that integrates engineering, science,

technology, and math?

DefineAttend to a broad range

of considerations in criteria and constraints for problems of social and global significance

Develop solutions

Break a major problem into smaller problems

that can be solved separately

OptimizePrioritize criteria,

consider trade- offs, and assess social and

environmental impacts as a complex solution is tested and refined

Engineering Design Process

Next StepsToday I learned…My next steps are…