ERIC Number: EJ1108323
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Aug
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1046-560X
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Available Date: N/A
The Nature of Science and the "Next Generation Science Standards": Analysis and Critique
McComas, William F.; Nouri, Noushin
Journal of Science Teacher Education, v27 n5 p555-576 Aug 2016
This paper provides a detailed analysis of the inclusion of aspects of nature of science (NOS) in the "Next Generation Science Standards" (NGSS). In this new standards document, NOS elements in eight categories are discussed in Appendix H along with illustrative statements (called exemplars). Many, but not all, of these exemplars are linked to the standards by their association with either the "practices of science" or "crosscutting concepts," but curiously not with the recommendations for science content. The study investigated all aspects of NOS in NGSS including the accuracy and inclusion of the supporting exemplar statements and the relationship of NOS in NGSS to other aspects of NOS to support teaching and learning science. We found that while 92% of these exemplars are acceptable, only 78% of those written actually appear with the standards. "Science as a way of knowing" is a recommended NOS category in NGSS but is not included with the standards. Also, several other NOS elements fail to be included at all grade levels thus limiting their impact. Finally, NGSS fails to include or insufficiently emphasize several frequently recommended NOS elements such as creativity and subjectivity. The paper concludes with a list of concerns and solutions to the challenges of NOS in NGSS.
Descriptors: Scientific Principles, Science Education, Academic Standards, Course Content, Classification, Instructional Program Divisions, Science Curriculum, Creativity
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
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Language: English
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Author Affiliations: N/A