Sharing Good Practice
Implementing the Next Generation
Science Standards
By Dr Craig Gabler
M
any American curriculum
schools are considering
adoption of the Next
Generation
Science
Standards (NGSS), while some have
already begun implementation. The
journey towards full implementation
of the NGSS should be undertaken
carefully and in the spirit of with
the belief that “we need to have
courage and be patient.” Preparing
for implementation requires a plan,
awareness of tools and resources, and
knowledge of how to utilise those tools
and resources. This article will suggest
a timeline for implementation and
summarise some useful resources.
Planning for
Implementation
Thoughtful implementation of the
NGSS would provide for a phased
introduction
of
the
standards,
allowing teachers and administrators
to
thoroughly
understand
the
new standards and the associated
instructional shifts, and to gradually
infuse the key components. Each
step of the timeline below assumes
sufficient professional development
of teachers and administrators, as well
as, awareness opportunities for all
stakeholders.
PHASE 1
Introduction to the standards, a deeper
focus on the Science & Engineering
Practices (SEP) and the opportunity
to begin infusing the SEP into
instruction. This phase could easily
take a year.
PHASE 2
Further training on the standards,
particularly with an emphasis on
the engineering aspects and the
Crosscutting
Concepts
(CCC).
During the phase, the SEP continue
to be infused in instruction, as does
intentional application of the CCC. A
full school year should be allowed for
Phase 2, as training for the standards
cannot be rushed.
PHASE 3
Develop deeper understanding of
all aspects of the SEP and CCC. It is
during this phase that new learning
be focused on the Disciplinary Core
Ideas (DCI) and how they develop
over time throughout the standards.
In addition, this phase should include
significant attention to how the three
dimensions of the Next Generation
Science Standards are to be taught in
an integrated fashion – what is referred
to as ‘3 Dimensional Instruction.’ It is
also during this phase that attention
must be devoted to re-alignment of
instructional materials and courses of
study.
Having the courage to be patient and
thorough will yield enhanced learning
opportunities for all
students.
Resources
Resources that support adoption and
implementation of NGSS can be found
in a number of locations. The primary
source for the standards and the latest
news about recently released tools is:
www.nextgenscience.org. Among the
resources you can find at this website
are:
• Down-loadable versions of the
standards
• The supporting Appendices
• The EQuIP rubric for evaluating,
and planning, units of instruction
• Evidence statements – detailed
descriptions of what student
performance might look like
• Samples of potential assessment
tasks
In addition to nextgenscience.org, the
website maintained by the National
Science Teachers Association (ngss.
nsta.org) is an excellent repository that
includes:
• Articles, from NSTA publications,
providing valuable background
• Archived informational webinars
• Downloadable documents that
support and elaborate on key
aspects of NGSS
• A library of “NGSS Curated” Lesson
(soon to be launched)
In closing, one of the most underutilized resources is each other.
Capitalizing on the knowledge and
experience of those implementing
the NGSS will be key to a successful
implementation
of
these
new
standards. Many schools have
embraced
professional
learning
communities and strategies, such as
Cognitive Coaching – now
is an opportune time to
draw on those structures
to support and enhance
teacher learning.
Best wishes on your journey
of implementation of the
NGSS.
FIRST PRESENTED AT MENA
COMMON CORE CONFERENCE IN
DUBAI – OCTOBER 2014.
Dr. Gabler serves as Regional
Science Coordinator and
LASER Alliance Co-Director at
Educational Service District.