The K-12 science learning standards -- a similar concept to Common Core State Standards -- will raise the bar for science learning in Washington state for all students.

HIGHLINE, Wash. -- Gov. Jay Inslee and State Superintendent Randy Dorn announced Friday that Washington state will adopt the Next Generation Science Standards. The announcement came at a ceremony at Cascade Middle School in Highline. See the press release.

"Our classrooms are where Washington's next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs get their start," Inslee said. "This is a tremendous step forward for Washington's students."

The Next Generation Science Standards set expectations for what students should know by the end of every grade level in the four domains of science: physical science; life science; earth and space science; and engineering, technology and science application.

WATCH: Jeff Charbonneau talks about Next Generation Science

Jeff Charbonneau, the 2013 National Teacher of the Year, is a science teacher at Zillah (Wash.) High School. He teaches physics, chemistry and engineering. Like many teachers around the nation, Charbonneau offered feedback on the Next Generation Science Standards during public review. He said the standards are much more about preparing students to be the next scientists.

"I'm a high school science teacher. People say to me, 'Oh, you're helping prepare the next generation of scientists.' That's true, to a certain extent. But I really see my job as preparing the next generation. If we're going to have a productive society ... we need to have an informed citizen who knows how to digest (scientific and technological) information."

The Next Generation Science Standards will be fully implemented in Washington classrooms in the 2016-17 school year. Read more from the Seattle Times.

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WA RECEIVES FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT COMMON CORE

Washington is one of six states to receive funding to participate in the Improving Student Learning at Scale Collaborative to support effective implementation of the Common Core State Standards, it was announced Oct. 4.  Read more

NATIONAL POLL: TEACHERS SUPPORT COMMON CORE

A poll released Oct. 4 shows a large majority of K-12 teachers think Common Core State Standards will improve students' thinking skills. A poll of more than 20,000 teachers finds that about three-fourths of teachers think the standards will improve students' abilities to reason and think critically.  Read more

SEE OUR RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS

The Ready Washington coalition has collaborated to create resources for schools, families and students to build understanding and awareness of Common Core. We encourage schools to use these resources in communications with families. Visit our Resources page for a list of all materials, and see the right-hand sidebar on this newsletter. We have produced poster aimed at middle and high school students. You can also download your own 11x17 copy on the Website. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you've got questions about Common Core, we've got answers. Please see our FAQs page. A question we often receive is about testing, and if the new tests aligned with Common Core will be harder. See our answer below and watch Jeff Charbonneau answer the question.

"Test scores might see a temporary dip, but it won't be because students know less; it's because we're expecting more. Test scores may drop when the new exams are first given, but this information will give us a clearer picture of where students are struggling and how we can better support their preparation for college and life in a competitive global economy."

REAL LEARNING FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN

For more information on Common Core and the Real Learning for Real Life campaign, please visit www.ReadyWA.org. To learn about implementation of Common Core, visit the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Website.

For additional information, please contact:

Chris Barron, communications manager
Partnership for Learning
(206) 625-9655  [email protected]

Nathan Olson, communications manager
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
(360) 725-6015  [email protected]