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Development of the Life Science Standards. Presented at FASS October 24, 2007. The Process. Framers Meeting (May 2007) - Provide the charge for the writers. Writers’ Meetings (June, July, Sept. 2007) - Following the framers’ recommendations, writers convene four times to build new standards.
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Development of the Life Science Standards Presented at FASS October 24, 2007
The Process • Framers Meeting (May 2007) - Provide the charge for the writers. • Writers’ Meetings (June, July, Sept. 2007) - Following the framers’ recommendations, writers convene four times to build new standards.
The Writers • University and community college content experts, school district curriculum personnel, K-12 classroom instructors, and FLDOE representatives.
The Life Science Standards • The framers’ recommendations and the question “What do all Florida graduates of the K-12 system need to know in the life sciences?” were used to develop the essential bodies of knowledge. • In accordance with the framers’ charge, the NAEP Framework provided the guiding structure.
Other Guiding Documents • The team used other highly regarded standards to help shape the new FL standards. • Standards from Massachusetts, Indiana, Finland, Singapore, other documents such as NAEP, NSES, and TIMSS were reviewed.
The First Writers’ Meeting • Identify the life science Bodies of Knowledge (BOK). • Add in the essential concepts under each BOK. • Delineating what was both essential and appropriate for FL K-12 graduates proved to be a challenge.
The Second Writers’ Meeting • Worked to move standards into HS, MS, and Elementary. • Meet in HS and K-8 groups. • HS - Distinguished advanced standards as “honors”. Mark standards that possibly can be covered in MS. • K-8 - Separated into grade level standards.
The Third Writers’ Meeting • NAEP influenced content statements rewritten. • Standards edited. • Many writers’ from the first and second meeting were not able to attend this session and new people worked on the life science standards.
The Fourth Writers’ Meeting • Following the Framers’ Recommendations, the content statements go back to align with NAEP. • Sunbursts have been added to denote the core standards for student mastery. • Focus is placed on the Nature of Science. • Separate K-5, MS, and HS groups work to build their standards and then all convene to articulate across the levels.
Other thoughts • More time needed for articulation between life science and the other sciences.
Elementary Life Science Big Ideas Based on NAEP 1. Organization and Development 2. Evolution and Diversity 3. Interdependence 4. Matter and Energy Transformations
Focus Points • Kindergarten focus: Using your senses to learn about their immediate world • Specific life cycles are identified at different grade levels to prevent overlap and encourage diversity • K-2 Focus on schoolyard and community flora and fauna • 3-5 Focus on community and Florida flora, fauna and habitats • Photosynthesis moved to middle school