The deadline for feedback is August 2, 2010.

Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards

Click here to view the public draft of the conceptual framework and access the online survey

This project funded with generous support from the Carnegie Corporation is to develop a framework to guide the development of new science education standards. The project will be led by a committee of experts in the scientific disciplines, cognitive science, learning theory, and educational policy. The framework developed by the committee will identify and articulate the core ideas in science in the disciplines of life sciences, physical sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering and technology, cross cutting ideas and scientific practices. The committee will draw on current research on science learning as well as research and evaluation evidence related to standards-based education reform. This will include existing efforts to specify central ideas for science education including the National Science Education Standards, AAAS’s Science for All Americans and Benchmarks for Science Literacy, the 2009 NAEP Science Framework, and the redesign of the AP science courses by the College Board. The committee will develop the draft conceptual framework, gather feedback from a range of stakeholders, and write a final NRC consensus report. The draft conceptual framework is anticipated in July and the final report in the winter of 2010. The work is being done with the cooperation of a group of collaborating partners which includes Achieve, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the National Science Teachers Association. While the conceptual framework will be used to guide Achieve’s work of developing K-12 science education standards under a separate grant from the Carnegie Corporation, it is important to point out that the framework itself will have great value for the science education community. For example, it can provide guidance for development of curricula and assessment, a foundation for discussion of alignment between K-12 and higher education, and a mechanism for creating greater synergy between science learning in formal (school) and informal environments.

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COMMITTEE
Committee Membership
Design Team Members
STAFF
Heidi Schweingruber, Deputy Director, BOSE Thomas Keller, Senior Program Officer Kelly Duncan, Senior Program Assistant

MEETINGS	LOCATION	RESOURCES
Meeting 1 January 28-29, 2010	The NAS Building Lecture Room 2100 C Street, NW Washington, DC	Public Agenda (includes presentations)
Meeting 2 March 4-6, 2010	Hyatt Regency Washington 400 New Jersey Avenue Washington, DC 20001	Public Agenda Presentations and Papers
Meeting 3 April 22-23, 2010	The NAS Building Day 1: Lecture Room Day 2: Room 150 2100 C Street, NW Washington, DC	Public Agenda Presentations
Meeting 4 June 17-18, 2010	Keck Center Room 105 500 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001	Closed Session in Entirety
Meeting 5 September 1-2, 2010	Beckman Center Irvine, CA
Meeting 6 October 27-28, 2010	Keck Center Room 105 500 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001