National Science Education Standards - Vision

Vision

The content of these standards is based heavily on a specific model of learning, constructivism (learning theory). Like reform mathematics, which is distinguished by an emphasis on building on what a child already knows and understands, the standards intend to update the methods of science education to achieve greater effectiveness with children. The goals of the standards include:

  • An outline of what students need to know, understand, and be able to do
  • Targets for scientific literacy at different grade levels
  • All students demonstrate high levels of performance
  • Teachers are empowered to make the decisions essential for effective learning
  • Communities of teachers and students are focused on learning science
  • Educational programs and systems nurture achievement

The intended purpose of the standards is to define teaching methods which apply to all students, regardless of age, gender, cultural or ethnic background, disabilities, aspirations, or interest and motivation in science, recognizing that different students will achieve understanding in different ways, and some students will achieve different degrees of depth and breadth of understanding depending on interest, ability, and context. However, the standards expect that all students can develop the knowledge and skills described in the standards.

The goal of scientific literacy includes inquiry, history and nature of science, personal and social perspectives of science, science, and technology, in addition to the science domains of life science, physical science, and earth and space science. Programs defined according to these standards should be developmentally appropriate, interesting, and relevant to students’ lives.

Read more about this topic:  National Science Education Standards

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