ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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All,
Common Core refers to English Language Arts and Mathematics, and it will become a reality in states: 47 are onboard.

That's one story.

Another story is the Next Generation Science Standards (http://www.nextgenscience.org<http://www.nextgenscience.org/>), which may be even more important for the ASTC community. A first draft of these will come out soon (May? - I'll keep you posted) for public comment. They are based on a A Framework for K-12 Science Education, a consensus study by the National Research Council / National Academies that provides the vision for the NGSS (freely available as PDF athttp://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13165). 26 states representing 58% of the US student population, coordinated by the same education nonprofit that organized the ELA/math common core are working on those. It will be essential that informal settings that work with schools are familiar with the new expectations for science proficiency expressed in the NRC Framework and the NGSS, especially since ISE institutions have much to offer to the formal sector in working towards the new vision that embraces the learning of science through 8 scientific and engineering practices, focused on core ideas in the disciplines and tying together broad cross-cutting concepts that transcend scientific disciplines.  This new vision won't happen overnight, in fact, the final version of the standards isn;t expected until early next year, and implementation will take time, but ISE's should not only comment on the ideas and become engaged in the discussion about what we expect ALL students to be able to do and know in science, but should provide their considerable expertise in active learning.

Cheers,
Martin


__________________________________________
Martin Storksdieck, Ph.D.
Director, Board on Science Education
The National Academies
500 Fifth Street NW - 1153
Washington, DC 20001
202-334-3987 (office)
443-254-0002 (cell)
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