<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 18pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Report of meeting with OSPI Science Coordinator </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When I attended the State Board of Education meeting in March, most of the meeting for one morning centered around new science standards—The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I wanted more information to pass along to you, so I met with Ellen Ebert, the Science Coordinator for OSPI, to get clarification on some of the items presented to the State Board. </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The focus of this meeting was Next Generation Science Standards and what the development of new standards means for </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">       </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">curriculum providers around alignment reviews </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">       </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">districts considering <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a science adoption in the next year or two</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: small;">·</span><span style="font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;;">       </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">assessment</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">First and foremost, the state is several years out from an actual state adoption of new standards for science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">   </span>The next big step to take place in the development is a public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards (NCSS) will be available for review in May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Although this is not going to be publically announced, we will let you know when the document is available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>All public information regarding the process so far is available at the Achieve website at </span><span style="color: #800080; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.achieve.org">http://www.achieve.org</a></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>This is just the beginning of what looks to be a three year adoption process.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE PROVIDERS?</span></span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many of you may have heard from your company about the Framework, the new standards and the development process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The terms associated with what is called the framework of the new standards are:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>cross-cutting ideas, engineering and science practices and core concepts</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Achieve</span></strong><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> is working with publishers on the front end, so everyone has a clear view of what represents alignment to the framework and thus the standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They have invited publishing companies to participate in discussions around alignment and changes in the way science is taught using the framework as the basis, so materials can match the needs of districts, teachers and students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The big change is to present curriculum in a way that weaves cross cutting concepts, science and engineering practices and core ideas together in a comprehensive manner.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 14pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where are things locally?</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ellen is willing to meet with me to make sure you get your questions answered, and keep us informed as to the progress around of the development and the discussions taking place among the lead states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Jessica is open to sharing the process as it unfolds to make sure as stakeholders, you are informed.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">From my conversation with Ellen, there is still work to be done to clarify what alignment to the standards means. </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ellen said she had seen five presentations from publishers, who assessed their materials as aligned to the NGSS. However, she and colleagues did not see the materials as aligned. She said the materials were missing the connections among the cross-cutting concepts, the core ideas and the science practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>She said the information was there but presented ala carte rather than showing the connections as defined by the framework. She said understanding how the framework changes the organization of content is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It will be a key component of any material review process should one take place in the future.</span><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition to the progress of developing the standards</span></strong><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, there is talk among the 26 lead states, of which WA and OR are members, of creating a depository for materials which have been reviewed and aligned to NGSS and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can be accessible electronically to districts in any of the participating states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It sounds as if there will be one review for all participating states, which will vet materials as aligned instead of each state conducting an individual review.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is still in the talking stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The member states decided to wait until after the first draft is made public to make any further decisions regarding curricula materials. I plan to meet with Ellen again to lean more about what that will look like, and what it means for our members.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">In terms of <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">assessment,</strong> creation of a national science test is also in discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Again, further development is on hold until after public for review of the NGSS draft by all stakeholder groups.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What Do You Tell Your Customers</span></strong><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></strong></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">According to both Ellen, as the Science Coordinator, and Jessica as the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, the current science standards are what is being taught in WA and districts should use them for all decisions. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adoption process for NGSS will be similar to that of Common Core Standards. There will be a four phase process led by OSPI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>It is likely that adoption and implementation of the new standards is at least 3 years away, with review of the standards and consideration for adoption to begin 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Until then, the current science standards will be implemented </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the WSTA conference in October, OSPI will be providing sessions regarding NGSS guiding frameworks and connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>In addition, ESD’s around the state will begin having discussions around NGSS guiding framework. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intent is to begin the conversation about the NGSS as well as how implementation will be different from past science standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jessica will be able to answer some of your questions regarding the implementation of NGSS at the annual meeting.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">There is another meeting with Ellen scheduled for late June for updates regarding information coming from the lead state meetings.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stay Tuned. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have questions now and would like to send them to me, I will be glad to forward them to OSPI.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Respectfully,</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jody <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>