Standards

What would you expect to see in your community if the Standards were in place?

Science Teaching standards:
Written instructional guidelines support Standards-based teaching
Teacher rewards and evaluations based on the Standards

Professional development standards:
Professional development resources spend on Standards-based professional development
Support for long-term professional development opportunities

Assessment standards:
Community-wide assessment of student achievement of the content standards
Assessment of opportunities for students to learn science aligned with the teaching, program, and system standards

Science content standards:
Criteria for selection of instructional materials based on Standards
Curriculum goals and framework reflect the Standards

Science education program standards:
The statement of goals for science program includes philosophy, vision, and purpose
The community includes an outline of all the content standards
The curriculum framework, based on Standards, guides selection and development of units and courses of study
Explicit connections are made between science and other school subjects, particularly mathematics
Alignment of student goals and expectations, curriculum, assessment, teaching practices, support for teachers
Careful articulation between all levels of schooling
Science program leadership roles specified
Policy documents specify resources, opportunities for professional development, and leadership to support goals of science program

Science education system standards:
Teacher employment, evaluation, and professional development policies and practices are congruent with Standards
Policies and practices that affect science education are coordinated across the school
Policies and practices are regularly reviewed for impact and unintended effects
Clear, accessible, frequent information flow
Resources for reform include adequate time in school day, exemplary teachers, framework, facilities and equipment