Current Topics
In New York State Science
Education
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The only way to make sense out of change is
to plunge into it, move with it, and join the
dance.
~ Alan Watts
The words that will become
our new reality
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Common Core
Framework
Next Generation Science Standards
Common Core
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NYS pre K – 12 Common Core Learning Standards
Adopted January 2011 by Board of Regents
Began as a national initiative, adopted by states
Includes Standards for BOTH English Language
Arts (ELA) and Math
Developed through the Nat’l Governors Association
and Council of Chief State School Officers, in
partnership with ACT, College Board and Achieve –
a non-profit, bi-partisan educational think tank
Common Core, cont’d
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Standards for English Language Arts and
Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science
and Technical Subjects, K-5
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Includes embedded standards for science (and
other subjects) content area reading and writing
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Reading Standards for Informational Text K-5
Writing Standards K-5
Much greater emphasis on Informational Text
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50% Literature and 50% Non-fiction (expository)
text is a major shift for elementary classrooms
Common Core cont’d
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Includes a section in the ELA component
called Standards for Literacy in History/Social
Studies, Science and Technical Subjects
6
– 12
Includes College and Career Readiness
Anchor Standards for Reading and Writing
Specific literacy standards are required for
science, social studies, etc. courses
Common Core cont’d
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Reading Standards for Literacy in Science
and Technical Subjects 6 – 12 is divided into:
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Grade Level bands: Grades 6 – 8, Grades 9 – 10,
and Grades 11 – 12
Standards that have to do with reading contentspecific text, such as articles, procedures, nonfiction descriptions, etc.
Explicit behaviors of students who are literate
readers in science
Common Core cont’d
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Writing Standards for Literacy in
History/Social Studies, Science, and
Technical Subjects 6 – 12 is divided into:
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Grade Level bands: Grades 6 – 8, Grades 9 – 10,
and Grades 11 – 12
Standards that have to do with writing that is
content-specific, is based on making a claim and
providing evidence to support the claim, requires
research and drawing conclusions from multiple
sources
Common Core Web Resources
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Lots of resources for implementing the
Common Core (including videos and sample
lessons):
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NYS website to download the standards:
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http://engageny.org/
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/ciai/common_core_stan
dards/home.html
Website for national overview:
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http://www.corestandards.org
In short…
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The Common Core is intended to help our
students be LITERATE in our content area.
Framework for K-12 Science
Education
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Developed by National Resource Council
Intended for use throughout the US
Described as “Getting the Science Right” –
took input from various scientists and other
stakeholders to describe a body of content
that students should know in science
Was reviewed during Summer 2010
Released as free pdf, July 2011
Framework, cont’d
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The Framework is the guiding document for
the Next Generation Science Standards
The Framework is 283 pages long and is
available for free download or as a text to
purchase
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=1
3165
Next Generation Science
Standards
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“Next Generation Science Standards for Today’s
Students and Tomorrow’s Workforce: Through a
collaborative, state-led process, new K–12
science standards are being developed that will
be 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 for K–12 Science
Education developed by the National Research
Council.”
Next Generation Science
Standards, cont’d
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National document developed collaboratively with
the states
K – 12 content standards
Based on the “Framework” (released 7/2011)
NYS will review this document with help from
Science Leadership Teams (confidentiality
agreement regarding contents of document)
STANYS leadership is participating in the
confidential reviews as part of Leadership Teams
Next Generation Science
Standards, cont’d
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PUBLIC review of Next Generation Science
Standards scheduled for January/February 2012.
STANYS will notify members via email, STANYS
website and list serves regarding the opportunity to
provide feedback
NYS will decide whether to adopt the NGSS after it
has been finished
NYS is heavily invested in the development of the
NGSS
Next Generation Science
Standards, cont’d
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Also developed under auspices of “Achieve”
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Anticipated release for adoption:
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Same non-profit, think tank as Common Core
By December 2012
More information on website:
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http://www.nextgenscience.org/
STANYS
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Science Teachers Association of NYS
Involved in the process in partnership with
New York State Education Department
Staying current for our members
Annual Conference 2012 to address the
changing situation
http://www.stanys.org
Elementary Science Program
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Staying on top of all changes to ELA, Math,
and Science at national and state level
Adapting and aligning science units so that
they are in sync with new Standards
Participating in state and national reviews
Here for YOU!
(800) 832-8011 or (585) 352-1140
http://www.espsciencetime.org
Let us know how we can help!
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Kathy Arminio, ESP Director
Mary Thomas, ESP Assistant Director
Antonietta Quinn, ESP Resource Teacher
Nancy Shellenberger, ESP Resource Teacher
Contact: mthomas@monroe2boces.org