The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
All Standards, All Students – Appendix D
Diversity and Equity Series
Series Overview: Members of the national NGSS Diversity and Equity writing team collaborated
Promoting
excellence in science
teaching and
learning in Illinois
Advancing learning
through effective
educational
leadership
to develop a series of nine webinars addressing NGSS teaching and learning, focusing very
specifically from the perspective of the diversity and equity issues faced by students and their
teachers of science. The NGSS offers a vision of comprehensive and rigorous science and
engineering learning that challenges all students, particularly students who have been traditionally
underserved in science education. Case studies feature examples of NGSS being met in
authentically diverse classrooms, employing effective strategies based on current pedagogical
research.
An in-depth overview of the document, Appendix D - All Standards, All Students, is the
introductory webinar (Part 1) and is recommended to be first in the sequence for viewing. Other
webinars can be viewed in any order, depending on the need of the audience.
The case studies of Appendix D attend to the following groupings in the webinar series:
 Economically disadvantaged students, in a 9th grade Chemistry class: Part 2
 Students from major racial and ethnic groups, in an 8th grade life science class: Part 3
 Students with disabilities, in a 6th grade space science unit: Part 4
 English-language learners, in a 2nd grade earth science unit: Part 5
 Girls, in a 3rd grade engineering unit: Part 6
 Students from an alternative education program, in a 10th-11th grade chemistry class: Part 7
 Gifted and talented students, in a 4th grade life science unit: Part 8
Part 9 is a combination of engineering content and diversity foci for English language learners,
girls, and economically disadvantaged students in 2nd grade earth science, 3rd grade life science,
and 9th grade chemistry units.
Objectives:
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Providing
educators the
professional
development
content and
capacity building
professional
network you need
to do what's best
for your students
and learning
community
ELN States’
Principals
Association
Members:
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Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Ohio
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
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To raise awareness of the realities of diversity and equity issues in our classrooms and how
teachers of science, specifically, can transform their teaching to address those needs.
To raise awareness of how blending the three dimensions of NGSS with instructional
strategies can help diverse students meet NGSS.
Part 2 Synopsis: Economically disadvantaged students – 9th grade chemistry
This webinar is designed to illustrate effective teaching strategies that support science learning for
all students, focusing on economically disadvantaged students. The highlighted teaching strategies
challenge students to modify and revise their conceptual models as they gain an understanding of
the particle nature of matter. Researched-based strategies such as “use of place” and projectbased learning enrich the learning of high school students in a high poverty school. The objective
of this segment to encourage the audience to question how instruction can be adapted for
students in poverty in your NGSS implementation plans?
Facilitator guidance: NGSS W/ELN developers suggest the following ideas and strategies that
may promote an even more positive learning setting for individual and group participation in this
webinar series:
General Facilitation Suggestions:
 Familiarize yourself with all of the segments in the series and their sequenced order, the suggested
resources, and the action-planning template that can be adapted to the local setting and utility.
 Suggest that the participants prepare for the webinar(s) by knowing the goals set for the series and the
individual session, along with the follow-up intent of the facilitator/ administrator.
 Review resources prior to the group or individual sessions, as applicable.
 Prepare adequately for the technology access for all participants.
 Consider that audience response may necessitate repeated viewing of some segments.
 IF viewed through the Ed Leaders Network: Anticipate the generalized ELN evaluation
component. Certificates for participation can be printed for CPDU awards, following the completion of
the survey at the end of the webinar session for each participant.
 IF viewed through the ISTA-IL.ORG website: Use or modify an action planning template to meet your
specific needs and documentation. The suggested headings may include: action items assigned to and
by when, success indicators, documentation options, and projected next steps. Submission of
information about webinar utility, impact, and next steps will be requested through the ISTA-IL.org NGSS
with ELN page.
 Allow for brainstorming for additional segments that are needed to help insure the success of NGSS
implementation where you are. Review reflections statements for continuation and refinement of NGSS
W/ ELN webinars at your location. Such suggestions or reflections can be submitted through the ISTAIL.org NGSS with ELN page.
Specific preparatory and facilitation suggestions for more effective use of your time. Each webinar has a
“Turn and Talk” question near the end for reflection about and planning for the implementation of NGSS and
classroom strategies to help diverse student groups meet NGSS. It is suggested that the facilitator provide a
copies/or access for participants to read and reference Case Study 1: Economically Disadvantaged
http://www.nextgenscience.org/sites/ngss/files/%281%29%20Economically%20Disadvantaged%206-1413_0.pdf prior to viewing.
Additional questions for possible consideration:
 How do these strategies help engage diverse student groups in science and engineering?
 How do the examples relate to your experience with diverse student groups?
 What questions do the case studies raise for you?
 What implications do the case studies have for science education in your setting?
Additional resources
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Next Generation Science Standards for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Workforce: For States,
by States, through Achieve, Inc.: http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generation-sciencestandards
NGSS Appendix D All Standards, All Students: http://www.nextgenscience.org/next-generationscience-standards
Case Studies: http://www.nextgenscience.org/appendix-d-case-studies
NGSS@NSTA: www.nsta.org (click on logo in upper right corner)
A Framework for K-12 Science Education…Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas,
National Academies Press, 2012.
Evaluation
IF VIEWED THROUGH ED LEADERS NETWORK (MEMBERS ONLY): Please complete the evaluation
located at the end of the video to receive completion certification and provide ELN/ISTA with baseline
information regarding the training.
IF VIEWED THROUGH ISTA-IL.ORG WEBSITE: Please feel free to use the action planning template
noted in Facilitator Guidance above and complete the ISTA survey. Please click to NGSS in IL page for
review and submission of your insights.
Project Partnership Overview
NGSS through ELN: Next Generation Science Standards through the Ed Leaders Network
Powered through the ten-state Ed Leaders Network, the unique partnership of the Illinois
Principals Association with the Illinois Science Teachers Association provides resources, guidance
and expertise for collaborative, broadened awareness of the NGSS for teachers of science AND
their administrative leaders while expanding interest in learning more deeply about NGSS. Our
collective goal is to create and share effective resources among Illinois members initially and
through ELN states’ principals associations and the science teachers associations in those states.
ELN provides access to the Leadership Management System that can track continuing
professional development credits for all participants.
Additional resources are being considered and suggestions are welcomed to meet identified
needs to insure the success of the preliminary and on-going understanding of NGSS and the
implementation strategies that we are creating and testing ourselves.