May 2012

On May 11, Achieve released for comment the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). All comments are due by June 1, 2012. AERA was invited to serve as a critical stakeholder and will be submitting comments.

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) build on a framework developed by the National Research Council (NRC) in Framework for K–12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, released in final form in 2011. These performance standards implement the Framework.

In 2010, AERA and other social and behavioral sciences (SBS) associations expressed concern about the absence of K-12 science education including social and behavioral phenomena in the NRC Framework. After release of the Framework, the NRC turned its attention to this issue. In November 2011, the NRC held a planning meeting that examined the challenges and opportunities related to including SBS science in K–12 science education.

Interested readers are encouraged to comment on the standards. To review the draft, click on any of the links that say "Go to the NGSS Survey." The NGSS have been grouped by topics, and can be viewed in the topical groupings or individually. Achieve plans to issue a report that will explain how feedback was handled.

AERA welcomes receiving copies of comments submitted by AERA members to Achieve at executive.director@aera.net.