Paper

State Science Standards: An Appraisal of Science Standards in 36 States

1. National Research Council, National Science Education Standards (Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences, 1995); American Association for the Advancement of Science, Project 2061, Science for All Americans (New York: Oxford University Press, 1990); American Association for the Advancement of Science, Project 2061, Benchmarks for Science Literacy (New York: Oxford University Press, 1993); National Science Teachers Association, Scope, Sequence, and Coordination of Secondary School Science (Washington, D.C., 1992).

2. The most common choice of clusters is K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12, but there is much variation.

3. Presentation of a science as a list of "factoids" is a far-too-common fault of the present generation of science textbooks.

4. Science Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, California Department of Education, 1990.

5. See Mathematics and Science Content Standards and Curriculum Frameworks (Washington, D.C.: Council of Chief State School Officers State Education Assessment Center, 1997); and Making Standards Matter (American Federation of Teachers, 1997), and earlier annual editions.

6. Sandra Stotsky, State English Standards: An Appraisal of English Language-Arts/Reading Standards in 28 States, Fordham Report 1(1), Washington, D.C.: Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, July 1997.

7. Science Framework for California Public Schools, p. 26.

8. T. S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, 2nd ed. (Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 1970).

9. Kuhn, op. cit.

10. Ralph A. Raimi and Lawrence S. Braden, State Mathematics Standards, Fordham Report 2(3), March 1998; David Warren Saxe, State History Standards, Fordham Report 2(1), February 1998; Susan Munroe and Terry Smith, State Geography Standards, Fordham Report 2(2), February 1998.

11. ibid., 19 ff. A controversy over science content and pedagogy broke out in California in late 1997, when two groups with conflicting philosophies competed for the role of consultant to the standards-writing commission. The controversy seems to have been resolved by the contraSolomonic expedient of merging the two groups.

12. Note, however, that the New York Standards would have rated much higher if they had not been marred by poor examples. See the detailed discussion of the New York Standards in Section VIII.

13. Alabama Course of Study--Science-Scientific Literacy, Alabama State Department of Education, Bulletin 1995, No. 4.

14. ibid., p. 91.

15. ibid., p. 107.

16. ibid., p. 108.

17. ibid., p. 29.

18. ibid., p. 38.

19. ibid., p. 65.

20. ibid., p. 71.

21. Alaska Content Standards. Downloaded from http://www.educ.state.ak.us/Content/Standards/Science.html.

22. Arizona Academic Standards: Arizona Student Achievement Program, Arizona Department of Education, 1997.

23. Standard 5SC-F2, p. 20.

24. Standard 5SC-E3 PO1, p. 22. ENDNOTES 43

25. ibid. 2

6. Standard 5SC-P3, 23. This passage is based on but much improved over the National Science Education Standards. (See note 1.)

27. Standard 5SC-E5 PO1-3, p. 23.

28. Arkansas Science Curriculum Framework. Downloaded from http://arkedu.k12.ar.us/wwwade/sections/curframe/sci/htm.

29. Standard 1.1.7, grades K-4.

30. Standards 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.1.11, grades 5-8.

31. Standards 1.1.25, 1.1.26, 1.1.27, grades 9-12.

32. Standard 2.1.15, grades 9-12.

33. Standard 3.1.8.

34. Standard 3.1.12.

35. Standard 2.1.18: Understand the broad themes of science: systems, change, interactions, models, scale, and adaptation.

36. Standards 3.1.30, 3.1.35.

37. Standards 4.1.17 (grades 5-8) and 4.1.23 (grades 9-12).

38. Standards 5.1.11-13 (grades 5-8) and 5.1.26 (grades 9-12).

39. Standards 5.1.31, 5.1.32, grades 9-12.

40. The reader should bear in mind the fact that the author of this analysis made substantial contributions to the California Science Framework, and the objectivity of his comments on the Framework should be assessed in the light of this fact.

41. See Note 4.

42. Colorado Model Content Standards for Science. Downloaded from http://www.cde.state.co.us/sci.htm.

43. ibid., Standard 2.2.

44. ibid., Standard 2.3, grades 9-12.

45. "Science Curriculum Framework," August 7, 1997: Second Draft for Review and Comment, Connecticut State Department of Education, Division of Teaching and Learning. I am grateful to Science Consultant Steve Weinberg for making the draft available.

4-6. Indiana Science Proficiency Guide, item 2.2, 32.

47. Second unnumbered page of Content Standard 1: The Nature of Science.

48. Content Standard 10: The Universe, grades K-4.

49. Downloaded from http://www.dpi.state.de.us/standard/science/sstand.html through /sseig9-12.html.

50. Standard 1, grades 4-5, "Science, Technology, and Society."

51. Standard 3, grades 6-8, "Force and Motion."

52. Standard 7, grades 9-12, "Evolution."

53. Standard 3, grades 9-12, "Force and Motion."

54. Florida Curriculum Framework-Science-PreK-12 Sunshine State Standards and Instructional Practices, State of Florida, 1996.

55. ibid., p. 35.

56. ibid., p. 36.

57. ibid., p. 39.

58. ibid., p. 34.

59. ibid., p. 38.

60. ibid., Standard SC.B.2.4.1, p. 66.

61. ibid., Standard SC.B.1.4.4, p. 62.

62. The citations in this paragraph are all from pp. 40-41.

63. ibid., Benchmark SC.A.1.3.6, p. 48.

64. Quality Core Curriculum. Remarks in the introduction suggest that the K-8 material was written in the late 1980s. The Georgia Standards Table of Contents was downloaded from http://tanabi.gac.peachnet.edu/WRAP,26,651,3098,0,6-9,0.srch; other sections are immediately accessible from that site.

65. ibid., grade 1, item 6.

66. ibid., grade 3, item 6.

67. ibid., grade 3, item 21b; grade 6, item 18.

68. Biology, Objective 9.

6-9. ibid., Biology, Objective 12.

70. Final Report, Hawaii State Commission on Performance Standards, June 1994.

71. The items cited are to be found on pp. 81, 82, 102, 119, and 104.

72. Essential Content, Office of Instructional Services, Department of Education, State of Hawaii Document RS 92-3055, December 1992, S-28.

73. Final Report, p. 76.

74. ibid., p. 86.

75. ibid., p. 85.

76. ibid., p. 86.

77. ibid., p. 93.

7-8. ibid., p. 94.

79. Idaho Science Framework; downloaded from http://www.enc.org/reform/fworks/ENC2972/nf_2972_for.htm#for and sites directly acces-sible therefrom.

80. ibid., Goal 6.

81. ibid., Standard I.

82. Illinois Learning Standards,1st ed., Illinois State Board of Education, July 25, 1997.

83. ibid., Item 12.D.4a, p. 35. 44

84. The Indiana State Proficiency Guide, Indiana Department of Education, 1995.

85. ibid., Item 1.4, p. 55.

86. ibid., Item 2.1, p. 57.

87. ibid., Item 2.3, p. 58.

88. ibid., Item 2.6, p. 60.

89. ibid., Item 8.8, p. 119.

90. Indiana High School Competencies, Indiana Department of Education, 1995.

91. Curriculum Standards for Science, Kansas State Department of Education, 1995.

92. ibid., p. 15.

93. ibid., p. 15, grades 6-8.

94. Kentucky's Learning Goals and Academic Expectations, downloaded from http://www.kde.state.ky.us/g2science.html and other sites immediately accessible therefrom.

95. Louisiana Science Framework: State Standards for Curriculum Development, 1997 (np). The running title is different: Louisiana Science Content Standards.

96. Curriculum Framework for Sciences and Mathematics, Maine Department of Education, nd. Downloaded from http://www.mmsa.org/cfrntpag.html and sites immediately accessible therefrom.

97. ibid., Secondary [level], p. 81.

98. ibid., Secondary [level], p. 82.

99. Science & Technology Curriculum Framework: Owning the Questions Through Science & Technology, Massachusetts Department of Education, 1997.

100. Curriculum Framework, p. 37

101. ibid., p. 45, Pre-K-4.

102. ibid., p. 47, grades 5-8.

103. Mississippi Science Framework, Mississippi Department of Education, 1996.

104. ibid., p. 175.

105. Missouri's Framework for Curriculum Development in Science, K-12, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 1996.

106. ibid., p. xi.

107. ibid., p. 53.

108. ibid., p. 57.

109. Mathematics and Science Framework for Nebraska Schools, Nebraska State Board of Education, 1994.

110. ibid., VI-VII.

111. ibid., p. E-6.

112. ibid., p. I-1. 45

113. ibid., pp. I-10-11.

114. ibid., p. G-7.

115. ibid., p. I-7.

116. ibid., pp. L-5, L-57-59.

117. K-12 Science Curriculum Framework, New Hampshire Department of Education, 1995.

118. Cover letter from Education Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth M. Twomey, 23 September 1997.

119. K-12 Science Curriculum Framework, p. 10.

120. ibid., p. 15.

121. ibid., p. 22.

122. ibid., pp. 24-25.

123. Core Curriculum Content Standards, New Jersey State Department of Education, 1996, Publication PTM 1400.06.

124. ibid., Chapter 7, p. 6. (Page is unnumbered but immediately follows p. 5.)

125. ibid., Standard 6, p. 11.

126. ibid., p. 13.

127. ibid., Standard 9, p. 51.

128. ibid., Standard 11, p. 44.

129. Content Standards With Benchmarks for Kindergarten Through 12th Grade: Science, New Mexico State Department of Education, 1996.

130. ibid., Unnumbered page headed "Science Content Standards."

131. ibid., Unnumbered page headed "Science As A Unified Field of Study." Emphasis added.

132. ibid., Benchmark 1B, grades K-4, p. 1.

133. ibid., Benchmark 2C, grades 5-8, p. 2.

134. ibid., Benchmark 4A, grades 9-12, p. 4.

135. ibid., Benchmark 14C, grades K-4, p. 17.

136. ibid., Benchmark 15C, grades 5-8, p. 18.

137. ibid., Benchmark 15E, grades 9-12, p. 18.

138. Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology, The University of the State of New York: The State Education Department, 1996.

139. ibid., pp. 4-5, Standard 1-- Scientific Inquiry, intermediate level.

140. ibid., pp. 8-9, Standard 2 -- Information Systems, elementary level.

141. ibid., p. 30, Standard 4 -- Science, Physical Setting, elementary level.

142. ibid., p. 32.

143. ibid., p. 33. 4-6

144. ibid.

145. ibid., p. 34.

14-6. ibid.

147. ibid., p. 48.

148. North Dakota Curriculum Frameworks, v. 1, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, 1993, pp. 53-68.

149. ibid., p. 57, by the end of grade 4.

150. ibid., p. 58, by the end of grade 12 or exit.

151. ibid., p. 59, by the end of grade 8.

152. ibid., p. 61, by the end of grade 4.

153. ibid., p. 62, by the end of grade 12.

154. Elementary Science Curriculum Guide, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, 1988.

155. Life Science Guide for Seventh Grade, 197-8; Earth Science Guide for Eighth Grade, 197-8; An Introduction to Physical Science for the Ninth Grade: 197-8 Teacher's Guide, 197-8; Biology Guide for North Dakota High Schools, 1974; Chemistry Guide for North Dakota High Schools, 1974, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

156. Oregon's Content Standards, 1997-1998: Introductory Packet, Oregon Department of Education, and Oregon Standards: Teacher Support, January 1997, a newspaper mailed by the Department to Oregon teachers and principals. I am indebted to Marilyn Husser of the Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and Field Services for these documents.

157. Science Literacy for ALL Students: The Rhode Island Science Framework, rev. ed., Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 1995.

158. ibid., p. 3A-37, The Nature of Technology, grade 6-8.

159. ibid., p. 3B-19, The Physical Setting--The Earth, grade 3-5.

160. ibid., p. 3D-23, The Human Organism--Learning, grade 9-12.

161. ibid., p. 3B-13, The Physical Setting--The Universe, grade 9-12.

162. South Carolina Science Framework, South Carolina Department of Education, 1996.

163. South Carolina Science Achievement Standards, South Carolina Department of Education, 1996.

164. Framework, p. 13.

165. Framework, p. 52.

166. Framework, p. 62.

167. ibid.

168. Standards, p. 66.

16-9. Standards, p. 107.

170. Science Framework, Grades Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, State of Tennessee Department of Education, 1995.

171. ibid., p. ii.

172. ibid. 47

173. ibid., p. xvi.

174. ibid., Standard 1.4a, grades 6-8, p. 6.

175. ibid., Standard 1.3b, p. 4.

176. ibid., Standard 1.1a, p. 1.

177. ibid., Standard 1.4b, grades 6-8, p. 6.

17-8. ibid., Standard 2.1e, Physics, p. 14.

179. ibid., Standard 1.5a, grades 6-8, p. 7.

180. ibid., Standard 2.1a, Biological Sciences, p. 11.

181. ibid., Standard 2.1c, Biological Sciences, p. 13.

182. ibid., Standard 2.5a, Physics, p. 25.

183. ibid., Standard 2.5b, Biological Sciences, p. 27.

184. ibid.

185. ibid., Standard 3.3b, grades 6-8, p. 34.

186. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, Texas Education Agency, 1997.

187. ibid., p. A-17.

188. ibid., pp. B-3, B-4.

189. ibid., p. B-13.

190. ibid., p. C-38 ff.

191. Elementary Science Core; Secondary Science Core. Both published by the Utah State Office of Education, 1994. Downloaded from http://www.uen.org/cgi-bin/websql/lessons/c4.gts?coreid=3&course_num=3000&p_id=5, and sites immediately accessible therefrom.

192. Elementary Science Core, Standard 3030-0302.

193. ibid., Standard 3040-01.

194. ibid., Standards 3040-0404 through -0406.

195. ibid., Standards 3050-0101, 0103.

196. ibid., Standard 3600-0503, grade 9.

197. ibid., Standard 3060-0104, grade 6.

198. ibid., Standard 3060-0601, grade 6.

199. Science, Mathematics, and Technology Standards. Downloaded from http://www.state.vt.us/educ/stand/smtstand.htm.

200. ibid., Standard 7.2ff, grades 5-8.

201. ibid., Standard 7.11bb, grades PreK-4.

202. ibid., Standard 7.12ccc, grades 9-12.

203. Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools, Board of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1995. 48

204. Essential Academic Learning Requirements: Technical Manual, Washington Commission on Student Learning, 1997.

205. ibid., p.72.

206. ibid.

207. ibid., p. 9.

208. ibid., pp. 74, 80.

209. Documents (no title, no date) downloaded from http://access.k12.wv.us/~dschafer

210. ibid., Standards 2.17, 2.19.

211. ibid., Standard 2.57. Similar inappropriate choices appear at later grades.

212. ibid., Standard 2.58. The same error appears at later grades.

213. ibid., Standard 8.58.

214. ibid., Standard 9.43.

215. ibid., Standards P.21-P.26.

216. "Wisconsin Model Academic Standards (Draft)," Governor's Council On Model Academic Standards, 1997. I am indebted to Shelley A. Fisher of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for a copy of the draft.

217. A Guide To Curriculum Planning in Science, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 1986 (1995 printing). The relevant informa-tion is contained in Chapters 8 through 11.

218. ibid., Standard C.12.7, 12th grade, p. 50.

219. ibid., Standard D.8.4, p. 52.

220. ibid., Standard D.4.5, p. 51.

221. ibid., Standard D.8.5, p. 52.

222. Curriculum Guide, Subobjective 2.18, Example 1.182, p. 105.

223. ibid., Example Activity 3.211, grades 7-9, p. 134.

224. ibid., Subobjective 3.4.1 and Example Activities 3.413, 3.414, grades 7-9, p. 135.

225. ibid., Example Activity 3.511, grades 7-9, p. 135.

226. ibid., Example Activity 3.343, grades 10-12, p. 168.

227. ibid., Example Activity 3.344, grades 10-12, p. 168.

228. ibid., pp. 150-152.

229. ibid., Example Activity 2.134, grades 10-12, p. 156.

230. ibid., Example Activity 2.172, grades 10-12, p. 157.

231. ibid., Example Activity 2.351, grades 10-12, p. 159. 49

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