Public Input Sought on Science Standards

Public input sought on science standards

 

February public forums scheduled; survey opened this week

 

DES MOINES – Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck today announced this week that he’s seeking input from Iowans on a preliminary proposal to update Iowa’s science standards.

 

Buck announced a series of February public forums and an online survey following a state panel’s recommendation to get public feedback on the Next Generation Science Standards. This is the name of science standards developed by 26 states, including Iowa, that all states can consider adopting and adapting to meet their needs. 

 

Academic standards represent expectations for what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through high school. Iowa’s academic standards are being reviewed, starting with science, as part of Executive Order 83.

 

“We want to improve our state standards, and we also want to make sure they are the right fit for Iowa,” Buck said. “That’s why public input is such a critical part of this review process.”

 

The process began last fall, when Buck convened a team of education and business leaders to review Iowa’s science standards, as well as rigorous science standards from other states, and to make a preliminary recommendation for improvement to take to the public for feedback.

 

The science standards review team’s preliminary recommendation came in December, following three public meetings.

 

Feedback from the February public forums and survey will be used to provide guidance to the science standards review team, which is expected to submit a final recommendation regarding science standards to the State Board of Education later this year.

 

Buck said fine-tuning Iowa’s science standards is especially critical as the state works to bolster its commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education so that students can compete for a growing number of STEM-related jobs.

 

“Standards are about setting consistent, rigorous learning goals statewide and leaving decisions about curriculum and teaching to local school administrators and teachers,” Buck said. “If our goal is to make sure Iowa students are ready for college and career training after high school, we must have clear, consistent statewide standards.”

 

The survey will be open through Friday, Feb. 27. To take the survey go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VW6SHDY?c=Iowa_Science_Survey

 

Iowans also can provide feedback in person at any of the four public forums in February:

 

Wednesday, Feb. 11: Waukee

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Waukee Community Schools District Office – Board Room

560 Southeast University Ave.

Waukee, IA

 

Tuesday, Feb. 24, Ottumwa

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.        

Great Prairie Area Education Agency, Ottumwa Office – Auditorium

            2814 North Court Street

Ottumwa, IA

 

Wednesday, Feb. 25, Dubuque

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.        

Keystone Area Education Agency, Dubuque Office – Room 1 ABC

            2310 Chaney Road

Dubuque, IA

 

Thursday, Feb. 26, Sioux City

4:30 to 6:30 p.m.        

Northwest Area Education Agency, Administrative Office – Room A/Auditorium

1520 Morningside Ave.

Sioux City, IA

 

To read the Next Generation Science Standards, visit http://www.nextgenscience.org/.

 

To read Iowa’s academic standards, visit https://iowacore.gov/.

 

About the science standards review team: The team is made up of education and business leaders with expertise in physical science, life science, earth and space science, and engineering, technology and application. A list of members is available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website.