NGSS, California, and You: Resources, Testing, and More

California has officially adopted the Next Generation Science Standards as the state standards for grades K-12.  So why are we still giving the CST in 5th and 8th grade?  

Because the law says we have to.

Yes, even though we aren't teaching the 1998 standards, the test is still given.  Seems silly, but the law says that we have to give a test assessing science knowledge in 5th, 8th, and 10th grade and until a new test is written, we will continue to give the CST.

The process to adopting new standards and developing tests and resources is a long one and it take a while for the red tape to clear.

It goes like this:
Step 1) New standards are written, revised, drafted, revised, and adopted.  For NGSS, that was about 5 years in the making.

Step 2) A framework for education is written.  Once the standards are adopted then the work of writing the framework that will help teachers, test writers, and textbook publishers navigate the standards can begin.  The California NGSS Framework is currently being revised following a public draft period.  It will be edited based on suggestions from anyone who participated in the survey and released for a second public draft sometime in the summer.

Step 3) Once the framework is adopted by the state, then the test writers and textbook publishers can get to work.  We expect that a pilot version of the state test to replace the CST will be available as early as next year, depending on the development of the Framework.  Text book materials will probably be available for review in the 2017-18 school year, with probably adoption in the 2018-19 school year.

So we don't have materials until 2018-19?!

Technically, yes.  However, there are many free resources that are available from the National Science Teachers Association, the California Science Teachers Association, and organizations like NASA to help us along the way.  But don't forget the resources you have in your building or in our district; this is a time to work with your grade level partners across the district to pool your resources together and develop your own "text book."  And, of course, don't forget your friendly neighborhood STEM CT who will happily join in planning sessions, brainstorm with you, or comb the internet for resources to share with you!