Click for Model Curriculum and Resources
Check here for updates and resources from the Ohio Department of Education on the science Model Curriculum and National Standards work.
Updated Dec 15, 2011
Ohio's Transition Schedule Final pdf
Updated October 21, 2011
Achieve has set up a few dates to provide an informational Webinar introducing State teams to the review options and process as we move forward in the Next Generation Science Standards development. The Webinars will also be recorded for those that are unable to participate live. Here are the dates/times for the Achieve Webinars:
1. Friday, October 28, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
2. Thursday, November 3, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET
3. Wednesday, November 9, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. ET
To join any one of the three sessions listed above, log in using this link: https://sas.elluminate.com/d.jnlp?password=12YI20ZWCYXR97RPN1MK&sid=vclass.
Updated Cotober 3, 2011
A new FY12 Math-Science Partnership RFP has been posted (http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1704&ContentID=2356&Content=112222)
Updated September 21, 2011
States to Lead Effort to Write Next Generation Science Standards
SEPTEMBER 20, 2011—A group of 20 states has been selected to lead an important effort to improve science education for all students.
The 20 states will lead the development of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a state-led effort that will clearly define the content and practices all students will need to learn from kindergarten through high school graduation. The NGSS process is being managed by Achieve, an education reform non-profit organization.
"The Lead State Partners will provide important leadership and guidance throughout the development of the Next Generation Science Standards and are to be congratulated for making a strong commitment to improving science education," said Michael Cohen, president of Achieve. "This will be a collaborative, process that will lead to a set of standards that provides America's students a strong foundation in science and supports college and career readiness for all."
The Lead State Partners are Arizona, California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia
The development of the Next Generation Science Standards is a two-step process. The first step was the building of a framework that identified the core ideas and practices in natural sciences and engineering that all students should be familiar with by the time they graduate. In July, the National Research Council released A Framework for K-12 Science Education, developed by a committee representing expertise in science, teaching and learning, curriculum, assessment and education policy.
The second step is the development of science standards based on the Framework. The 20 Lead State Partners will guide the standards writing process, gather and deliver feedback from state-level committees and come together to address common issues and challenges. The Lead State Partners also agree to commit staff time to the initiative and, upon completion, give serious consideration to adopting the Next Generation Science Standards. In order to be considered, states had to submit a letter with the signature of the Chief State School Officer and the chair of the State Board of Education.
Drafts of the science standards will be made available for public input at least twice during the NGSS development process. The NGSS should be completed by the end of 2012.
American students continue to lag internationally in science education, making them less competitive for the jobs of the present and the future. A recent U.S. Department of Commerce study shows that over the past 10 years, growth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) jobs was three times greater than that of non-STEM jobs. The report also shows that STEM jobs are expected to continue to grow at a faster rate than other jobs in the coming decade.
"There is a clear benefit to providing our students with the strong science education they need to compete in college and the work place," said Stephen Pruitt, Vice President of Content, Research and Development at Achieve, who is coordinating the NGSS effort. "A strong science education provides all students with opportunities to be successful in the 21st century."
For more information, visit the Next Generation Science Standards website at www.nextgenscience.org.
ABOUT ACHIEVE
Created in 1996 by the nation's governors and corporate leaders, Achieve is an independent, bipartisan, nonprofit education reform organization based in Washington D.C. that helps states raise academic standards and graduation requirements, improve assessments, and strengthen accountability. Achieve is leading the effort to make college and career readiness a national priority so that the transition from high school graduation to postsecondary education and careers is seamless. In 2005 Achieve launched the American Diploma Project Network. Starting with 13 original states, the Network has now grown to include 35 states educating nearly 85 percent of all U.S. public school students. Through the ADP Network, governors, state education officials, postsecondary leaders and business executives work together to improve postsecondary preparation by aligning high school standards, assessments, graduation requirements and accountability systems with the demands of college and careers.In addition, Achieve partnered with NGA and CCSSO on the Common Core State Standards Initiative; was selected by the states to manage the PARCC assessment consortia creating tests in math and English aligned to the CCSS and is managing the development of the Next Generation Science Standards. For more information about the work of Achieve, visit www.achieve.org
Updated August 26, 2011
Comparative Analysis Documents Being Posted
ELA, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies have developed a Comparative Analysis Document that can be used by teachers, schools, and districts to compare the former standards with the revised state standards for social studies and science and the common core standards for ELA and Mathematics. The Comparative Analysis is in table format, and outlines the changes in focus for each grade level. ODE recommends using this document to observe learning progressions, see the big ideas and concepts, and clearly identify what is new to the grade, what is the same (but may be modified or taught at a deeper level), and what is no longer a focus at that grade.
The documents will be located on each content area's Standards and Model Curriculum page on the ODE website. For science the link is: http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1705&ContentID=76585&Content=110227
If you have any questions about this document, please contact kimberly.mullen@ode.state.oh.us.
Released July 26, 2011...
Reivew of National Science Framework Completed
The ODE Science staff has completed a preliminary review of the National Science Framework that was released on July 19th by the National Academy of Sciences. As anticipated the initial comparison of the core ideas and practices that students should learn for each grade-band (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12) align very well with Ohio's Revised Science Standards and Model Curriculum. This alignment includes the emphases on learning progressions and the integration of scientific, engineering and technological processes with content.
Staff will be conducting a more detailed comparative analysis and will tabulate the results. This information will be posted on the ODE Science page to assist teachers and districts. For clarity, critical differences or changes will be noted and/or highlighted in Ohio's Revised Science Standards and Model Curriculum document.
The National Framework is just the beginning of the development of the Next Generation Science Standards (see http://www.achieve.org/next-generation-science-standards). Ohio will continue to support this development work and to inform the field of ongoing opportunities to provide feedback and advice to the national effort.
Released May 2011...
Ohio Department of Education Adopts Science Model Curriculum
The Science Model Curriculum was adopted by the State School Board on March 14th Phase I (content statements) and Phase II (model curriculum) have been blended together into one document for P-8 and one document for high school. This is to ensure that science content and science skills and applications (which includes inquiry, technological design, safety, ethics, real-world relevancy, and science processes) are not separated and cannot be taught separately.
The draft versions are located on the ODE Science Web page
(http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEPrimary.aspx?Page=2&TopicID=1696&TopicRelationID=1705)
The final version is being edited to correct grammar, typos, formatting, and link issues. The ODE IT staff is also working on an actual "web-based" application", but for now the final version will be a PDF file. Sections of the document will be updated on a regular basis-ODE will continue to add examples, strategies and resources that are collected from practitioners, we are developing a method to collect ideas and suggestions on-line in the near future.