Next Generation Science Standards for
Today’s Students and
Tomorrow’s Workforce
There are a lot of good reasons to develop a framework for science education.
Creating a workforce is not one of them.
So why is it there?
Next Generation Science Standards.
For States. By States.
The Next Generation Science Standards are not "by states"--they are by a small collection of groups with varying motives, led by Achieve, Inc., funded by multiple major foundations, run by a handful of governors and major CEO's.
So why is it there?
The photograph shows a safe young man of color, collared shirt with a tie, adjusting a Bunsen burner, with a test tube rack holding various colored fluids, with the banner "Add Your Voice of Support."
It does not need our support--it has the force of money and power behind it, railroading itw way into local boards of education.
So why is it there?
To give the semblance of a democratic process?
The National Science Teachers Association has been listed as a "partner" in this endeavor. The NSTA folks, however, "have serious and extensive concerns about the current content and architecture of the NGSS."
Why is that not there?
Whatever the end result of this process, let's be clear on a few things:
- This is an effort led by a small cadre of politicians and business folks who know about as much about the natural world as I do about how Libor rates are calculated.
- This is not a democratic nor grass roots movement.
- The NSTA has "extensive concerns" after the last draft released.
I teach science to help children develop critical thinking skills.
Don't allow the NGSS propaganda to slide past yours.
The last round of public comment was too brief for substantive input from the science teacher community, and the draft was quickly removed. If anybody wants a copy, email me and I'll send the file.