Subscribe to our Newsletter for updates and blog posts right in your inbox.
Have you been looking for high-quality instructional materials that support student instruction toward the goals of the NGSS?
All sorts of products and programs have filled the science instructional materials marketplace, claiming they support the NGSS, but do they really?
Beware of buzzwords such as:
“Students will learn with inquiry-based instruction.”
Or
“The lessons are based on three-dimensional teaching and learning.”
Look out for association claims like- a product prominently using NGSS colors on promotional materials or with labels proclaiming, “This product helps teachers transition to the NGSS.”
Be skeptical of statements such as, “Our product is aligned to the NGSS.” or “This program covers all three dimensions.”
“This product fulfills 100% of the NGSS.”
“This product meets the NGSS innovations.”
Just because a claim is made, it doesn’t mean it’s true.
With this, it’s essential to evaluate the evidence behind the claims, as well as the overall NGSS design of instructional materials.
Fortunately, there are tools we can use as educators to assess such claims, and make sure that the instructional materials chosen for classrooms will support the goals of the NGSS.
The EQuIP Rubric for Science provides criteria by which to measure how well lessons and units are designed for the NGSS.
The purpose of the rubric and review process is to:
The three categories in the rubric are: NGSS 3D Design, NGSS Instructional Supports, and Monitoring NGSS Student Progress.
While it is possible for the rubric to be applied by an individual, the quality review process works best with a team of reviewers, with individuals recording their thoughts and then discussing with other team members before finalizing their feedback and suggestions for improvement.
To effectively apply this rubric, an understanding of the National Research Council’s A Framework for K–12 Science Education and the Next Generation Science Standards, including the NGSS shifts (Appendix A of the NGSS), is needed.
In order to apply the rubric with reliability and with fidelity to its intent, it is recommended that those applying the rubric to lessons and units be supported to attend EQuIP professional learning based on the EQuIP Facilitator’s Guide.
The Science Task Prescreen and the following Science Task Screener builds on Category III of the EQuIP Rubric for Science.
The Screener is more thorough, while the Prescreen represents a quicker initial analysis.
Both task tools can be used for formative and summative assessment tasks within instructional materials, but they are not intended to evaluate an entire lesson or unit.
If you don’t have a lot of experience with the Framework or NGSS, the Screener and EQuIP are overwhelming. So start with the Science Task Prescreen.
The purpose of the Science Task Prescreen is to conduct a quick review of assessment tasks to determine whether they might be designed for standards based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education, like the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
While it is possible for the Prescreen to be applied by an individual, it is more powerful when used as part of a collaborative review process.
Use the Prescreen to:
The Science Task Screener is a more thorough evaluation than the pre-screen.
The real power of the Task Screener lies in the meaningful conversations it can drive among a team of reviewers as part of a collaborative process. This a powerful tool for teacher meetings.
Use the Screener to:
Subscribe to our Newsletter for updates and blog posts right in your inbox.
50% Complete
Our Spring 5 day challenge kicks off March 24th. More details coming soon...In the meantime, join our Facebook community and let us know your NGSS professional development needs.
(We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe.)