Arizona Named Lead State in the Development of the Next Generation Science Standards
On September 20, 2011, Arizona was announced as a lead state in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). As a Lead State Partner, Arizona educators will have a great degree of input on shaping the standards along with the other lead states. This page will provide information on Arizona’s role in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards and updates on the developement process.
The first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards has been released by Achieve and is available for review and comment until June 1, 2012.
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Provide Feedback to Achieve (including specific comments on individual standards)
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Provide Feedback to the Arizona Department of Education (general feedback on strengths, weaknesses, and whether Arizona should consider adopting these standards when they are complete)
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ADE WebinHour: Development of the Next Generation Science Standards
This WebinHour will provide an overview of the development process for the Next Generation Science Standards, provide information about how to read the standards, and go over the time line and processes for providing feedback on this first draft. -
May 22 (3:30-4:30 MST): Development of the Next Generation Science Standards:
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download and view the presentation
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View and listen to the recording
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May 29 (3:30-4:30 MST): Development of the Next Generation Science Standards
(Repeat of May 22 session)
In preparation for reviewing the standards, please view the following informational documents.
- Presentation on Understanding the Next Generation Science Standards or
- Narrated version of the Presentation on Understanding the Next Generation Science Standards
(20 minutes, Windows Media Player .wmv format)
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Narrated version of the Presentation on the Framework for K-12 Science Education (16 minutes, Windows Media Player .wmv format)
Your Expertise is Important
Application to serve on Arizona’s review team. The application process is open-ended. Committee members will be selected to participate in various stages of the development process. Please copy Lacey Wieser on the submitted application.
Archived Webinars and Presentations
Powerpoint presentation on the Framework and development of the NGSS.
The National Science Teachers Association has hosted two web seminars on the framework featuring members of the National Research Council (NRC) committee that developed it. Archived versions are available online:
- October 2011 web seminar: Making the Transition to Science and Engineering Practices: Visiting the Potential of the Next Generation Science Standards with NRC committee member Brian Reiser, NSTA Executive Director Francis Eberle, and former NSTA president Harold Pratt.
- July 2011 web seminar: A Framework for K-12 Science Education with NRC committee chair Helen Quinn, committee member Brett Moulding, and study director Tom Keller.
The Next Generation Science Standards
The development of the Next Generation Science Standards will be facilitated and managed by Achieve. Achieve is an independent, bipartisan, non-profit education reform organization based in Washington, D.C. that helps states raise academic standards and graduation requirements, improve assessments and strengthen accountability.
- Next Generation Science Standards. Achieve’s official website for the development of the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Standards Development Process
- The Need for New Science Standards
- Frequently Asked Questions about the NGSS
The Framework
The National Academy of Sciences, Achieve, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Science Teachers Association have embarked on a two-step process to develop the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The National Research Council (NRC), the staffing arm of the National Academies of Science, began the process by developing the Framework for K-12 Science Education published July 2011.
The Framework lays the foundation for the science concepts, practices, and skills all students need to learn to succeed in science. It is a critical first step because it is grounded in the most current research on science and science learning and identifies the science all K–12 students should know. The development of the Next Generation Science Standards is based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education.
- Framework for K-12 Science Education: The National Research Council’s website describing the document that is the foundation for the development of the NGSS. This document is available to download or read online for free.
- Framework Report Brief: a 6-page summary of the Framework document
For more information, please contact
Lacey Wieser
Science Education Program Specialist
K-12 Academic Standards
Arizona Department of Education
Phone: 602.364.2332
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