The list of states that have adopted the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continues to grow after release of the standards last April. There are 11 states now that have adopted the NGSS as their science standards, including Rhode Island, Kentucky, Kansas, Maryland, Vermont, California, Delaware, Washington, District of Columbia, Nevada, and Oregon. Illinois also has moved toward adopting the standards by the state board of education unanimously approving the NGSS in January, but official adoption is pending legislative review. Although these State Boards of Education have adopted the NGSS, many of them will not 'implement' them as their official set of standards for another year or more. It is important to remember that adoption does not necessarily mean instant implementation, and Oregon is a good example - "It will take a number of years before the NGSS are implemented and assessed in Oregon schools", says Oregon DOE.

Some states are much quicker to implement, and so far Kansas and California have already implemented the NGSS performance expectations as their official set of science standards. EdGate now has these available in their standards repository.

But the process of adopting hasn't always been smooth. In Kentucky, the Governor adopted them over the objections of state legislators. In Kansas, the adoption resulted in a lawsuit that sought to block their adoption. And the Wyoming legislature has preemptively blocked their use in that state.

EdGate will be monitoring the NGSS adoptions and their ensuing implementations, and of course, which states will simply be maintaining their own sets. This is certain to be a journey...so stay tuned!

For more information, visit Next Generation Science Standards

By: Larry Johnson

In September 2013, EdGate reported that the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment delivered, in its report Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School, a recommendation that Health and Physical Education be designated as core subjects by the federal government.

On March 12, 2014 more than 100 school health and physical education teachers met with their members of Congress during AAHPERD's sixth annual SPEAK Out! Day on Capitol Hill in support of The PHYSICAL Act, which stands for Promoting Health for Youth Skills in Classrooms and Life (S.392, H.R. 2160). The bill designates physical education and health education as core subjects, making them eligible for federal funding under Title I and Title II. School districts could use the funds to expand physical education and health education programs and professional development for teachers. Educators are hopeful that these funds will also enable them to dedicate weekly physical activity time, enhance classroom instruction and develop creative health programs.

The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance is an organization of professionals involved in physical education, physical activity, dance, school health and sport specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle.

Read More at http://www.aahperd.org/pressroom/speak-out-day-2014.cfm

By:

1. The Increase of Interactivity

2. On-Demand Living

3. Self-Publishing the World As We See It

4. Everything is Mobile (and Instant)

5. Embracing the Digital Brain

 

Georgia STEM teacher education

The College Board, creators of the SAT, recently announced a redesigned SAT coming in 2016 and a historic partnership with Khan Academy to make comprehensive, best-in-class SAT prep materials open and free.

In this issue of the EdGate Observer, we would like to introduce you a member of our Science Project Team, 

Keegan joined the EdGate team in 2012. He graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Secondary Science Teaching. Since graduating he has been teaching science at Orting High School. At Orting High School Keegan teaches a variety of science subjects including Physical Science, Biology, Zoology, and AP Biology. Keegan also teaches for the Rainier Scholars Program in Seattle during the summer. During his spare time, Keegan likes to spend time with his daughter by going hiking and checking out the animals at the zoo!

Updates to The EdGate Standards Repository include: