Webinar NGSS Earth and Space Science: Needs and a Call to Action April 9, pm Eastern | 3pm Central | 2pm Mountain | 1pm Pacific Dr. Ed Robeck, American Geosciences Institute

NGSS Earth and Space Science: Needs and a Call to Action Ed Robeck Director of Education and Outreach American Geosciences Institute

Goals Share preliminary results of data collection Provide opportunity for input regarding further analysis Initiate discussion regarding how the geoscience education community can support NGSS implementation Encourage action on the part of the geoscience education community relative to NGSS implementation

A bit of background The National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences managed the first of two steps in the creation of the Next Generation Science Standards by developing the Framework for K-12 Science Education, which was released July 2011.

Qualitative Analysis Fall 2014 Interviews 1.Assessment 2.Substantial Change 3.Advocacy 4.Curricula 5.Resonance with Teachers 6.Communication 7.Teacher Background 8.Complexity 9.Variety of Methods (and Differentiation) 10.“Hot Button” Topics 11.Connections to Other Disciplines 12.Funding 13.Status of Geosciences 14.Teacher Accountability

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS5 + 1 Support (Advocacy)5 + 1 Curriculum and Instruction8 + 1 Teacher Readiness & Resources5 + 1 Professional Development5 + 1 Assessment5 + 1

Survey Initiated 2/23/15 – still open (data as of 4/7/15) Released through AGI, NAGT, NESTA, etc. 316 response sets 215 +/- per question (11 – 49) 1 to 40+ years in current position 44 states, PR, and Israel

Identifying Needs In what ways do responses differ from ideal? In what areas do responses suggest tensions?

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

Framework & NGSS 11. I am very familiar with the Framework. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

Framework & NGSS 12. I understand the relationship between the Framework and NGSS-ESS. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Framework & NGSS 13. Teachers with whom I work understand the relationship between the Framework and NGSS-ESS.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Framework & NGSS 15. The NGSS-ESS can be implemented effectively without a thorough understanding of the Framework.

What can the geoscience education community do to promote the vision of the Framework and NGSS? With respect to such things as: Helping teachers and others understand the documents? Helping teachers and others understand the connections between the documents? Infusing the spirit of the Framework and NGSS across the geosciences and geoscience education? What would resources and activities that address this look like? Framework & NGSS

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

Support (Advocacy) 18. The implementation of NGSS-ESS has strong support from national groups and agencies. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

Support (Advocacy) 19. There is wide encouragement in my community for teachers to implement NGSS-ESS. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Support (Advocacy) 20. Media attention in my region has tended to encourage teachers to implement NGSS-ESS-aligned instruction.

Support (Advocacy) 21. If a teacher implements NGSS-ESS as it is intended she/he will be perceived as an effective teacher. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

Support (Advocacy) How can the geoscience education community help create a supportive environment for the implementation of the Framework and the NGSS? Such as in terms of: Engaging decision makers in ways that help them understand and support the Framework and NGSS? Building understanding and support within the general community of education stakeholders (e.g., parents, members of the public) for Framework and NGSS implementation? Promoting efforts in Framework and NGSS implementation in the media? What would resources and activities to address this look like?

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Curriculum and Instruction 29. Students who learn science in classrooms that use NGSS- ESS aligned instruction will be ready for higher education.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 – Curriculum and Instruction 30. Students who learn science in classrooms that use NGSS- ESS aligned instruction will be ready for careers that make use of science knowledge.

– Curriculum and Instruction 25. Students are prepared to learn well from instruction that is aligned with NGSS-ESS. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

How can the geoscience education community help teachers implement the changes in curriculum and instruction called for by the Framework and the NGSS? Such as with respect to: The materials that teachers have available for use? Being prepared to conduct NGSS-aligned instruction? Preparing students to be successful when instruction is aligned with NGSS? What would resources and activities to address this look like? Curriculum and Instruction

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Teacher Readiness & Resources 32. Converting science lessons to align with NGSS-ESS is something most teachers do not know how to do.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Teacher Readiness & Resources 34. Many organizations have provided resources that can be used in instruction that is aligned with NGSS-ESS.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Teacher Readiness & Resources 35. Information about how to effectively implement NGSS- ESS has been provided to teachers in my school system.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Teacher Readiness & Resources 36. Typical science teachers’ professional preparation and experience is adequate for implementing NGSS-ESS.

Teacher Readiness & Resources How can the geoscience education community help teachers be ready with skills and resources needed for the implementation of the Framework and NGSS? Such as with respect to: Materials and resources other than curriculum materials that may be needed and/or useful? Professional development other than what might be focused on instructional practice? Adapting existing materials so that they can be used in NGSS- aligned instruction? What would resources and activities to address this look like?

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Professional Development 38. There are adequate local professional development opportunities for teachers who want to know more about implementing NGSS-ESS.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Professional Development 39. Professional development in science generally includes a substantial focus on Earth and Space Sciences.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Professional Development 40. NGSS-ESS implementation would be enhanced if there were more opportunities for science research experiences for teachers.

1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234 Professional Development 42. There are many national groups that provide high quality professional development for NGSS-ESS.

Professional Development How can the geoscience education community help to generate professional development experiences that prepare professionals to implement the Framework and the NGSS? Such as with respect to: General models of professional development that can be used across many contexts? Adapting models of professional development to specific instructional contexts (e.g., to local adaptations of NGSS)? Including not only science teachers but other professionals (e.g., administrators, teaching assistants) who are part of the overall implementation? What would resources and activities that address this look like?

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework & NGSS Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

Assessment 44. There are sufficient assessment resources available for teachers to gauge student success in NGSS-ESS-aligned instruction. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

Assessment 45. The end of grade level assessment of students used in my district is well-aligned with NGSS-ESS. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

Assessment 48. Students are well-prepared to demonstrate their understanding of science content using assessment types that align with NGSS-ESS. 1Strongly Disagree 2Disagree 3Agree 4Strongly Agree 1234

Assessment How can the geoscience education community help with respect to the need to assess instruction that is aligned with the Framework and NGSS? Such as by: Creating/adapting assessment instruments, techniques, and/or programs? Developing models by which assessment can be interpreted? Communicating results to stakeholders (e.g., with respect o the fact that these assessments might yield results unlike what has taken place in the past)? What would resources and activities that address this look like?

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment

Six Broad Categories for Survey Framework Support (Advocacy) Curriculum and Instruction Teacher Readiness & Resources Professional Development Assessment Others…?

In general, what can the geoscience education community do to take advantage of the opportunities and potential benefits offered by the Framework and NGSS with respect to Earth and Space Science? Such as with respect to: Planning and taking action? Operating in ways that are mutually supportive? Enlisting the support of the broadest network of stakeholders possible? Taking advantage of what has been learned by past initiatives? Thinking about these opportunities and benefits in ways unlike how past initiatives have been approached?

Thank you for your time, attention, and efforts on behalf of Earth and space science education!

Responses to Consider Framework & NGSS We have no idea what this is, when the school system plans to implement it or how…I have no clue what this will mean to me and my teaching. (Teacher – Non-adopting State) The Framework is extremely easy to follow. I wish that all states could utilize it in order to better prepare their students for the future of science education. (Supervisor – Non-adopting State)

Responses to Consider Support (Advocacy) Common core and the PARCC (are) at the forefront of parents and administrators, not NGSS. (Adopting state – Teacher) There has been minimal coverage of NGSS from local media...from my perspective. I'm not at all certain the local community for my school has even heard of NGSS. No parent of any student has asked me anything about NGSS. (Adopting School System – Teacher)

Responses to Consider Curriculum and Instruction At first, we tried to make small adjustments to our current curriculum, but found that to really embrace the NGSS, we had to alter the way we teach science K - 5. (Teacher—adopting system)

March 27 Webinar Recording: Virtual Discussion Board Information about the Summit Twitter Hashtag for the NGSS Summit: #ngssaction