New York State Education Department Science Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update Spring 2006

New York State New York State Education DepartmentEducation Department

Science Curriculum, Science Curriculum, Instruction, and Instruction, and

AssessmentAssessmentUpdateUpdate

Spring 2006Spring 2006

New York State Education Department Spring 2006

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Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing EducationContinuing Education

EMSCEMSCJean C. StevensJean C. Stevens

Interim Deputy CommissionerInterim Deputy Commissioner

Curriculum, Instruction and Curriculum, Instruction and Instructional Technology TeamInstructional Technology Team

Anne SchianoAnne SchianoAssistant DirectorAssistant Director


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Associates in Science EducationAssociates in Science Education

Ann Crotty, [email protected]

Will Jaacks, [email protected]

Dianne Tanner, [email protected]


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New York State New York State Science InitiativeScience Initiative

Mission:

Create a statewide learning community to support student achievement of the learning standards in science, leading to a scientifically literate population.


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New York State New York State Science InitiativeScience Initiative

Vision: Ensure the learning of science for all

Pre-K-12 students by providing equitable access to exemplary teachers, inquiry-centered curriculum and instruction, standards-based assessments, and a wealth of resources and community support.


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The New York State The New York State Science Initiative is Designed to:Science Initiative is Designed to:

Improve student achievement in science for all students Pre-K-12

Provide leadership and assistance in science education


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Elevate the importance of science education

Enhance professional development for teachers in both the life sciences and the physical sciences

Encourage students, teachers, administrators, parents, higher education professionals, and community members to build capacity


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What benefits will result What benefits will result from the New York State from the New York State

Science Initiative?Science Initiative?

Students will engage in inquiry-centered curriculum programming which fosters the development and understanding of science content, concepts, skills, and attitudes.


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Teachers will participate in sustained professional development that enhances content knowledge and classroom instruction.

Administrators will have clear understanding of the pathways to science education reform efforts to improve student achievement with data-driven results.


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Parents/guardians and other family members will become partners in their students' science education.

Higher education institutions will prepare teachers to embrace curriculum, instruction and assessment resources available to meet the learning standards in science at the elementary, intermediate, and commencement levels.


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What are the Goals of the What are the Goals of the Statewide Strategic Plan Statewide Strategic Plan

for Science?for Science? Major components to foster systemic change

in science education

Curriculum, Professional Development, Assessment, Materials Support, and Administrative and Community Support

Address five key components simultaneously


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CurriculumCurriculum

• Provide opportunities for Pre-K-12 students to meet the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology using exemplary science curriculum programs emphasizing an inquiry-centered approach to learning science.


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Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development

• Establish professional development opportunities to support scientific literacy statewide and build capacity among science educators and other stakeholders across the state to provide technical assistance regionally and locally.


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AssessmentAssessment

• Use science assessment data including international, national, state and local data sources to inform decisions regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment for the purpose of improving student learning and achievement.


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Materials SupportMaterials Support

• Support the development and implementation of inquiry-centered curricula using models of effective systems management of science materials and resources.


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Administrative and Administrative and Community Support Community Support

• Build capacity among all stakeholders beyond the educational arena including business and industry.


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New York State New York State Education DepartmentEducation Department

New York State Science Initiative:http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/sciin.htm

Statewide Strategic Plan for Science:http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/sciplan.html


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ProjectsProjectsandand

PrioritiesPriorities


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National Science National Science Resources CenterResources Center

Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER)

Curriculum, Professional Development,

Assessment, Materials Support, Administrative and Community Support

Systemic Change ApproachStrategic planning and implementation

Incorporate standards and resources


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NYSED Virtual Learning System NYSED Virtual Learning System (VLS)(VLS)

Access and navigate the New York State Learning Standards

7 Content Areas including Mathematics, Science and TechnologyPopulate and provide curriculum and

instructional resources for teachersElementary, Intermediate, Commencement

Levelshttp://eservices.nysed.gov/vls/


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Public Broadcasting SystemPublic Broadcasting SystemOffice of Cultural Education

Cultivate relationship between the New York State Education Department and Regional

Public Broadcasting Stations

Alignment and Development of PBS resources

Support teaching and learning of standards http://www.oce.nysed.gov/etvpb/about.html


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Mathematics & Science Mathematics & Science PartnershipPartnership

No Child Left Behind Act-Title II, Part B

Grant Awards for 2004-2007Awards total over $13 million - 12 Projects

Partnerships & PurposeHigh-need school districts, higher education

Increase academic achievement Enhance content knowledge and pedagogy

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/msp.htm


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No Child Left Behind ActNo Child Left Behind Act

Requires the development of science standards by the 2005-2006 school year.Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and

Technology• Elementary Science Core Curriculum – Grades K-4• Intermediate Level Science Core Curriculum – Grades 5-8• The Living Environment Core Curriculum• Physical Setting/Earth Science Core Curriculum• Physical Setting/Chemistry Core Curriculum• Physical Setting/Physics Core Curriculum


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No Child Left Behind ActNo Child Left Behind Act

Requires states to administer science assessments in three grade spans by the 2007-2008 school year.Grade 3 – Grade 5 (Elementary)

• Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science Test Grade 6 – Grade 9 (Intermediate)

• Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science TestGrade 10 – Grade 12 (Commencement)

• Regents High School Examinations in:• Living Environment• Physical Setting/Earth Science• Physical Setting/Chemistry• Physical Setting/Physics


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New York State Grade 4 New York State Grade 4 Elementary-Level Science TestElementary-Level Science Test

The written test format consists of: Part I - multiple choice Part II - multiple choice, constructed-response, and extended

constructed-response The performance test consists of:

On-demand tasks at three stations• Measuring Objects and Liquids• Electrical and Magnetic Testing• Ball and Ramp

Administration dates:Monday, April 10 to Friday, May 12

Information link: http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/eleminttests.html


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New York State Grade 8 New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science TestIntermediate-Level Science Test

The written test format consists of: Part I - multiple choice Part II - multiple choice, constructed-response, and extended

constructed-response The performance test consists of:

On-demand tasks at three stations• Sorting Creatures, Ramp and Golf Ball, Woods and Water

Administration dates: Performance test: Monday, April 10 to Friday, May 12 Written test: Monday, May 1 to Friday, May 12

Informational links: http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/eleminttests.html


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Testing Requirements for Testing Requirements for Accelerated Grade 8 StudentsAccelerated Grade 8 Students

School principals have the discretion to either require or waive the Grade 8 Intermediate-Level Science Test for those accelerated Grade 8 students who did not take this examination during the previous school year but who will be taking a Regents examination. For those students whom the school waives the Grade 8 exam, achievement in science will be measured by the performance on the Regents examination.

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/ei/det905.pdf


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Living EnvironmentLiving Environment The Regents Examination consists of:

Part A - multiple choice Part B - multiple choice and constructed-response Part C - constructed-response and extended constructed-response Part D - multiple choice, constructed-response, and extended

constructed-response (based on the four required laboratory activities)

The four required laboratory activities Relationships and Biodiversity Making Connections The Beaks of Finches Diffusion Through a Membrane

Information pertaining to this may be found at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/dcomp.htm


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Physical Setting/Earth SciencePhysical Setting/Earth Science

The written portion of the Regents Examination consists of:Part A - multiple choicePart B - multiple choice and constructed-responsePart C - constructed-response and extended constructed-

response The lab-practical performance component for the

2006 administration of the Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science will be the 2001 Edition of the Earth Science Performance Test.


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Physical Setting/ChemistryPhysical Setting/ChemistryPhysical Setting/PhysicsPhysical Setting/Physics

Regents Examination consists of:Part A – multiple choicePart B – multiple choice and constructed-

responsePart C – constructed-response and extended

constructed-response


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Commencement-Level Commencement-Level Laboratory ComponentsLaboratory Components

Implement new form of performance exam for Physical Setting/Earth Science in June 2007

Continue four required laboratory activities for Living Environment

Develop inquiry-centered laboratory activities for commencement-level science content areas for use as instructional resources

Assess laboratory concepts and skills through current form of Regents examinations

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/sci.html


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Sponsored Science ProgramsSponsored Science Programs

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/science/

presawardsci.htm New York State Science Olympiad

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/Olympiad.htm National Youth Science Camp

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/science/natyouth.html

Documents

New York State Education Department Science Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update Spring 2006