|
|
|
National Standards for Mathematics and Science Education
A number of documents have been developed in recent years to bring national focus
and consensus on what students should know and be able to do upon completion of a
sound program in K - 12 science and mathematics. Organizations that have been involved
in developing and promulgating national standards for mathematics and science education
are listed below with links to web sites where you can access information about them.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the largest
general science organizations, serves as a source for information on the latest developments
in science, and works to bridge the gap among scientists, policy makers, and the public
to enhance science and science education. AAAS directs an array of projects to improve
science literacy, from an award-winning radio program to a peer-reviewed journal.
Of note are the organization's efforts to improve science education for girls and
women of all colors and backgrounds, as well as minority graduate students. In 1985,
AAAS's Project 2061 was organized as a long-term effort to reform science, mathematics,
and technology education at the K-12 level. Project 2061's publications,
online tools, and professional development programs assist educators
committed to promoting science literacy. Its publication Science for All Americans (1989)
recommends a common core of concepts in science, mathematics, and technology for all K-12 students.
Benchmarks for Science Literacy (1993) describe the scope and sequence in which core science concepts
should be presented. In addition, the project's work, Blueprints for Reform (1998), contains
guidelines for the implementation of the National Science Education Standards. The project's
efforts continue to help shape local and national science, mathematics, and technology education agenda.
AAAS Documents: http://www.project2061.org/
-
Science for All Americans (1989)
-
Benchmarks for Science Literacy (1993)
-
Blueprints for Reform: Science, Mathematics and Technology Education (1998)
The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) was the first professional
organization to develop and release standards for shaping the content and instruction
in K-12 mathematics programs with its publication Curriculum and Evaluation Standards
for School Mathematics (1989). Standards for teaching and assessing mathematics, as well
as an addenda series with lessons designed to reflect the standards, were developed by
NCTM shortly afterward. Most recently NCTM has published an updated volume, Principles
and Standards for School Mathematics (2000), which combines the previously released
three volumes, while taking into account current research on mathematics teaching and
learning. NCTM continues to develop and distribute materials, both print and electronic,
to assist mathematics educators as they work to orient their mathematics instructional
programs toward the standards. For example, NCTM's professional development academy helps
teachers as well as others become more familiar with the standards. In addition, the
organization has formed a research group to look at the overall process of standards-based improvement impact.
NCTM Documents: http://www.nctm.org/
-
Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (1989)
-
Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics (1991)
-
Assessment Standards for School Mathematics (1995)
-
Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000)
The National Research Council (NRC), organized by the National Academy of Sciences,
coordinated the development of the National Science Education Standards (1996) with external
funding from various organizations in the science education community. Besides describing
what science students should understand at different grade ranges, the standards address
science teaching practices, professional development for teachers of science, and assessment
in science education from the classroom to national level. The NRC published addenda to further
explain the meaning of some of the standards, such as inquiry and classroom assessment.
The organization continues to provide a range of services to the government, the public,
and the scientific and engineering communities to improve science education.
NRC Documents: http://www.nasonline.org/site/PageServer
-
National Science Education Standards (1996)
-
Selecting Instructional Materials: A Guide for K-12 Science (1999)
-
Classroom Assessment and the National Education Standards (2000)
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is an organization committed to promoting
excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA offers many publications,
professional development programs, and services to facilitate the implementation of the science education
standards, including the project Building a Presence for Science, which identifies a contact person in each
school in a number of states. NSTA is also involved in the coordination of a network of corporate funders
and agencies to work with schools and districts. The organization's Pathways series and Inquiry and the
National Education Standards are examples of publications that serve as tools to help educators understand
and apply the standards. NSTA also collects and disseminates results from nationwide surveys and serves
as an advocate for science educators by offering testimony to Congress on science education-related legislation.
NSTA Documents: http://www.nsta.org
-
NSTA Pathways to the Science Standards (1996)
-
Inquiry and the National Education Standards (2000)
While standards documents themselves are not reviewed in this database, there are a number of reviews
of materials whose purpose is to help teachers understand national standards. Reviewed materials
mentioned in this section are linked to their reviews. Reviews of additional materials focused
on promulgating the national standards may be located by browsing materials by “Understanding
national standards” selected from the professional development descriptor.
|