Science
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State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces State Adopts Next Generation Science Standards
SACRAMENTO—New science standards designed to prepare students to thrive in a changing economy were approved today by the State Board of Education, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced.
“The adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards in California mark a crucial step in making sure our students are prepared to succeed after they leave our classrooms,” Torlakson said. “Scientific information and technology have changed remarkably since the last time California updated its science standards, and how and what we teach have to change with them.”
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will bring science instruction up to date. NGSS emphasizes a deeper focus on understanding the cross-cutting concepts within and across scientific disciplines. These new standards integrate engineering practices with science practices to help students understand the workings of science and the natural world. They also provide a coherent progression of learning from kindergarten through grade 12, so students learn step by step the knowledge and skills they need for college and careers.
“The Next Generation Science Standards represent a huge leap forward for California’s students and our schools,” said Mike Kirst, president of the State Board of Education. “Scientific innovation remains at the core of the California economy, and schools play a huge role in equipping the workforce of tomorrow.”
Related Links
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Next Generation Science Standards
On September 4, 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) as required by California Education Code 60605.85. The NGSS Appendices A-M were also adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of the new science standards and to aid in the development of the new science curriculum framework.
The California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) can be viewed by grade level Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI): Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences or by grade level Topic (e.g.: Chemical Reactions, Structure and Function, or Space Systems).
California additions to the NGSS are identified in red boldface text and were incorporated by the California Science Expert Review Panel. One California clarification statement can be found in each of the following standards: 4-LS1-1, 4-PS3-1, 5-PS1-4, 5-ESS1-1, 5-ESS2-1, MS-LS1-1, HS-ESS2-6
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2015-16 Draft Science Framework Chapters
The Instructional Quality Commission approved the Draft Science Framework for California Public Schools for field review on June 20, 2016.
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Foreign Language Framework
[Please note that the 2003 Foreign Language Framework is not aligned to the World Language Content Standards adopted by the State Board of Education in January 2009. The World Language Content Standards can be viewed and downloaded from the CDE Content Standards Web page at http:// www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/worldlanguage2009.pdf. This note was added February 2016]