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<p>Teaching and Learning Science Update 10 February 2009<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Science Standards: The Revised Washington State Science Standards have been reviewed by the State Board of Education on the 10th of December, 2008 and presented to the House Education Committee on the 16th of January, 2009. The law (RCW 28A.305.215) states that: “The superintendent shall adopt the revised essential academic learning requirements and grade level expectations unless otherwise directed by the legislature during the 2009 legislative session.” So we are waiting for the end of the legislative session on the 26th of April at which time Randy will be the one to adopt them. Alan Burke, the Deputy Superintendent for Teaching and Learning assures me all is in order and this should move ahead once the legislative session closes. You can find the revised standards at: http://www.k12.wa.us/CurriculumInstruct/Science/pubdocs/WAScienceStandards.pdf. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the office. Science Instructional Materials Curriculum Review (IMR): OSPI has requested that the legislature provide our office an extension of six weeks from the May 15th date to complete the materials review, giving us until the 30 of June, 2009. If granted the recommendations would go to the State Board of Education for review at that time. The SBE would then have two months to complete their process. If all moves forward as planned, the science curricular recommendations would be complete by the end of August 2009. Relevant Strategies has been selected as the contractor to facilitate the Instructional Materials Review (IMR). Porsche Everson will be the consultant working with us. She masterfully facilitated the mathematics IMR, has extensive experience in this type of work and the entire OSPI Science Team is looking forward to working with Porsches. The applications to be a part of the Science IMR team are due on the 13th of February (this Friday) so move right along if you would like to be considered. Applications must be post-marked by midnight on the 13th of February or bring them into the office by 4:30 p.m. The link to the application can be found on the main page of the OSPI website under “What’s New”. Team member selections will be made and notified the last week in February. If you are not applying and would like to volunteer (travel and lunch provided) to review applications on February 19th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. please send me (mary.mcclellan@k12.wa.us) or Breanne (Breanne.Conley@k12.wa.us) an e-mail and we will get back to you with all the details. We can use a few more people to help. Math-Science Partnership Grants: The letters of intent for the current round of MSP grants were due this past Friday and we have a great deal of interest from both the math and science communities this year. We will be reviewing them on the 13th of March and awarding grants within the following two weeks. If you have not applied for a grant and would like to be considered for the review team contact me mary.mcclellan@k12.wa.us or Tara at tara.richerson@k12.wa.us . The legislature is in session so it is very interesting and busy. You might want to keep track of your favorite bill at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/. Know the work you are doing is infinitely important and how very much you are appreciated. Mary McClellan, NBCT OSPI Science Director for Teaching and Learning P.O. Box 47200 600 Washington St. S.E. Olympia, WA 98504-7200 360-725-6311 FAX-360-725-0494</p>
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