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

1. New York State Education DepartmentScience Curriculum, Instruction, and AssessmentUpdateSpring 2006

2. Elementary, Middle, Secondary and Continuing EducationEMSCJean C. StevensInterim Deputy CommissionerCurriculum, Instruction and Instructional Technology TeamAnne SchianoAssistant Director New York State Education Department Spring 2006

3. Associates in Science Education Ann Crotty, acrotty@mail.nysed.gov Will Jaacks, ajaacks@mail.nysed.gov Dianne Tanner, dtanner@mail.nysed.gov New York State Education Department Spring 2006

4. New York State Science Initiative Mission: Create a statewide learning community to support student achievement of the learning standards in science, leading to a scientifically literate population. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

5. New York State Science 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

6. The New York State Science Initiative is Designed to: • Improve student achievement in science for all students Pre-K-12 • Provide leadership and assistance in science education New York State Education Department Spring 2006

7. 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

8. What benefits will result from the New York State Science Initiative? • Students will engage in inquiry-centered curriculum programming which fosters the development and understanding of science content, concepts, skills, and attitudes. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

9. 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

10. 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

11. What are the Goals of the Statewide Strategic Plan 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

12. Curriculum • 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

13. Professional 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

14. Assessment • 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

15. Materials Support • Support the development and implementation of inquiry-centered curricula using models of effective systems management of science materials and resources. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

16. Administrative and Community Support • Build capacity among all stakeholders beyond the educational arena including business and industry. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

17. New York State Education 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

18. ProjectsandPriorities New York State Education Department Spring 2006

19. National Science Resources Center • Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) Curriculum, Professional Development, Assessment, Materials Support, Administrative and Community Support • Systemic Change Approach Strategic planning and implementation Incorporate standards and resources New York State Education Department Spring 2006

20. NYSED Virtual Learning System (VLS) • Access and navigate the New York State Learning Standards 7 Content Areas including Mathematics, Science and Technology • Populate and provide curriculum and instructional resources for teachers Elementary, Intermediate, Commencement Levels http://eservices.nysed.gov/vls/ New York State Education Department Spring 2006

21. Public Broadcasting System • Office 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

22. Mathematics & Science Partnership • No Child Left Behind Act-Title II, Part B • Grant Awards for 2004-2007 Awards total over $13 million - 12 Projects • Partnerships & Purpose High-need school districts, higher education Increase academic achievement Enhance content knowledge and pedagogy http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/msp.htm New York State Education Department Spring 2006

23. No 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

24. No 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 Test • Grade 10 – Grade 12 (Commencement) • Regents High School Examinations in: • Living Environment • Physical Setting/Earth Science • Physical Setting/Chemistry • Physical Setting/Physics New York State Education Department Spring 2006

25. New York State Grade 4 Elementary-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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

26. New York State Grade 8 Intermediate-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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

27. Testing Requirements for Accelerated 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

28. Living 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

29. Physical Setting/Earth Science • The written portion of the Regents Examination consists of: • Part A - multiple choice • Part B - multiple choice and constructed-response • Part 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. New York State Education Department Spring 2006

30. Physical Setting/ChemistryPhysical Setting/Physics • Regents Examination consists of: • Part A – multiple choice • Part B – multiple choice and constructed- response • Part C – constructed-response and extended constructed-response New York State Education Department Spring 2006

31. Commencement-Level Laboratory 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006

32. Sponsored 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 New York State Education Department Spring 2006