Philosophy of the Frameworks

How do the new frameworks differ from the old ones?

Science should not be approached as a collection of isolated abilities and bits of information, but as a rich fabric of mutually supported ideas and skills that must develop overtime. From primary school to high school what students learn should build on what they learned before, makes sense in terms of what else they are learning, and prepare them for what they will learn next. ¹ This framework looks at how kids perceive and interact with the world.

One of the major changes from the earlier framework can be seen the structure of the new frameworks reflecting the developmental stages of children. To help districts develop curricula for all grade levels, the new Frameworks for Science Literacy includes Grade Span Expectations (GSEs) that break down the content into specific grade spans (K-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-12). Each span lists proficiencies which indicate what all students should know and be able to do by the end of that grade span.

The old framework had six strands: 1) Inquiry; 2) Science, Technology and Society; 3) Life Science; 4) Earth Space Science; 5) Physical Science; and 6) Unifying Themes . Many district curricula had little to no emphasis on strands 1, 2, and 6. In the new edition, Science is divided into three content domains (Earth Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science) and one Science Process Skills domain. Ideas and objectives which correspond to the 1995 Science Framework strands 1, 2, and 6 have been rolled into each of the new strands.

Science Process Skills (SPS) is a new addition to the Frameworks. It reflects the need to make sure that in the early years students develop specific skill sets that will help them be successful in future science experiences. The last section of the skills strand, SPS4, looks at goals for Information and Computer Technology standards in Science. This was included to help districts meet the needs of all students and to meet the new ICT requirements for K-8 and 9-12 digital portfolios.

Everything in the old framework could be the subject of the state assessment in science. In the new framework, only specific proficiencies will be part of the upcoming NECAP Science Assessment. These “NECAP Science Targets” are clearly marked in bold boxes throughout the GSEs for each grade span. They are also referenced in the Science Process Skills documents as they connect to Inquiry and the Unifying themes of science. The other proficiencies should become part of each districts local science assessment system.

¹Atlas of Science Literacy, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2001, page 3