Next Generation Science Standards for Today’s Students and Tomorrow’s Workforce

STEM jobs are growing faster than all other industries, creating a greater demand for STEM workers. At the current rate, our state will not have enough STEM workers to meet the demands of the future. A strong foundation in science is critical in K-12 to create the supply of the next generation of scientists and involved citizens necessary for a promising future in the U.S.

Through a collaborative, state-led process, new K-12 science standards are being developed that will be rich in content, arranged in a coherent manner across grades and provide all students access to a challenging science education. The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) will be based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council, and should be completed in late 2012. All of the NGSS will have a focus on three primary areas; core disciplinary ideas, crosscutting concepts and scientific and engineering practices.

South Dakota has recently been named a Lead State partner in the development of the Next Generation Science Standards! Throughout the next year, a diverse committee of individuals from K-20 education, business, government and industry will review periodic releases of the standards as they are written and provide feedback. There will be about four private releases of the draft to be reviewed by the selected committee. The committee will have the opportunity to meet in person or review the information online on their own time. An informational webinar will be held at the end of October regarding this process. Information about that webinar will be released on the Department of Education Science Listserv. If you have any questions or would like to sign up for the Department of Education Science listserv to receive information about this process or about other opportunities, please contact me!

If you are interested in applying to participate in this process, please fill out the application at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HBJJNYZ

Sam Shaw

Science Specialist – South Dakota Department of Education

800 Governors Dr.

Pierre, SD 57501

(605)773-5229

Sam.Shaw@state.sd.us