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Changing Emphases
The emphasis charts for system standards are organized around shifting the emphases at three levels of organization within the education system—district, state, and federal. The three levels of the system selected for these charts are only representative of the many components of the science education system that need to change to promote the vision of science education described in the National Science Education Standards.
FEDERAL SYSTEM
LESS EMPHASIS ON
MORE EMPHASIS ON
Financial support for developing new curriculum materials not aligned with the Standards
Financial support for developing new curriculum materials aligned with the Standards
Support by federal agencies for professional development activities that affect only a few teachers
Support for professional development activities that are aligned with the Standards and promote systemwide changes
Agencies working independently on various components of science education
Coordination among agencies responsible for science education
Support for activities and programs that are unrelated to Standards -based reform
Support for activities and programs that successfully implement the Standards at state and district levels
Federal efforts that are independent of state and local levels
Coordination of reform efforts at federal, state, and local levels
Short-term projects
Long-term commitment of resources to improving science education
STATE SYSTEM
LESS EMPHASIS ON
MORE EMPHASIS ON
Independent initiatives to reform components of science education
Partnerships and coordination of reform efforts
Funds for workshops and programs having little connection to the Standards
Funds to improve curriculum and instruction based on the Standards
Frameworks, textbooks, and materials based on activities only marginally related to the Standards
Frameworks, textbooks, and materials adoption criteria aligned with national and state standards
Assessments aligned with the traditional content of science education
Assessments aligned with the Standards and the expanded view of science content
Current approaches to teacher education
University/college reform of teacher education to include science-specific pedagogy aligned with the Standards
Teacher certification based on formal, historically based requirements
Teacher certification that is based on understanding and abilities in science and science teaching
Marking the culmination of a three-year, multiphase process, on April 10th, 2013, a 26-state consortium released the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a detailed description of the key scientific ideas and practices that all students should learn by the time they graduate from high school.
