presentation for NGSS Webinar, April 9, 2015.

1. Webinar
NGSS Earth and Space Science:
Needs and a Call to Action
April 9, 2015
4pm Eastern | 3pm Central | 2pm Mountain | 1pm Pacific
Dr. Ed Robeck, American Geosciences Institute
ecrobeck@agiweb.org

2. NGSS Earth and Space Science:
Needs and a Call to Action
Ed Robeck
Director of Education and Outreach
American Geosciences Institute

3. Goals
• Share preliminary results of data collection
• Provide opportunity for input regarding
further analysis
• Initiate discussion regarding how the
geoscience education community can support
NGSS implementation
• Encourage action on the part of the
geoscience education community relative to
NGSS implementation

4. A bit of background
The National Research Council (NRC) of the
National Academy of Sciences managed the
first of two steps in the creation of the Next
Generation Science Standards by developing
the Framework for K-12 Science Education,
which was released July 2011.

5. Qualitative Analysis
Fall 2014 Interviews
1. Assessment
2. Substantial Change
3. Advocacy
4. Curricula
5. Resonance with Teachers
6. Communication
7. Teacher Background
8. Complexity
9. Variety of Methods (and Differentiation)
10. “Hot Button” Topics
11. Connections to Other Disciplines
12. Funding
13. Status of Geosciences
14. Teacher Accountability

6. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

7. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS 5 + 1
• Support (Advocacy) 5 + 1
• Curriculum and Instruction 8 + 1
• Teacher Readiness & Resources 5 + 1
• Professional Development 5 + 1
• Assessment 5 + 1

8. Survey
• Initiated 2/23/15 – still open (data as of 4/7/15)
• Released through AGI, NAGT, NESTA, etc.
• 316 response sets
• 215 +/- per question (11 – 49)
• 1 to 40+ years in current position
• 44 states, PR, and Israel

12. Identifying Needs
• In what ways do responses differ from ideal?
• In what areas do responses suggest tensions?

13. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

14. Framework & NGSS
11. I am very familiar with the Framework.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

15. Framework & NGSS
12. I understand the relationship between the Framework and
NGSS-ESS.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

16. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Framework & NGSS
13. Teachers with whom I work understand the relationship
between the Framework and NGSS-ESS.

17. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Framework & NGSS
15. The NGSS-ESS can be implemented effectively without a
thorough understanding of the Framework.

18. What can the geoscience education community do to promote
the vision of the Framework and NGSS?
With respect to such things as:
• Helping teachers and others understand the documents?
• Helping teachers and others understand the connections
between the documents?
• Infusing the spirit of the Framework and NGSS across the
geosciences and geoscience education?
What would resources and activities that address this look like?
Framework & NGSS

19. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

20. Support (Advocacy)
18. The implementation of NGSS-ESS has strong support
from national groups and agencies.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

21. Support (Advocacy)
19. There is wide encouragement in my community for
teachers to implement NGSS-ESS.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

22. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Support (Advocacy)
20. Media attention in my region has tended to encourage
teachers to implement NGSS-ESS-aligned instruction.

23. Support (Advocacy)
21. If a teacher implements NGSS-ESS as it is intended she/he
will be perceived as an effective teacher.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

24. Support (Advocacy)
How can the geoscience education community help create a
supportive environment for the implementation of the
Framework and the NGSS?
Such as in terms of:
• Engaging decision makers in ways that help them understand
and support the Framework and NGSS?
• Building understanding and support within the general
community of education stakeholders (e.g., parents, members
of the public) for Framework and NGSS implementation?
• Promoting efforts in Framework and NGSS implementation in
the media?
What would resources and activities to address this look like?

25. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

26. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Curriculum and Instruction
29. Students who learn science in classrooms that use NGSS-
ESS aligned instruction will be ready for higher education.

27. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Curriculum and Instruction
30. Students who learn science in classrooms that use NGSS-
ESS aligned instruction will be ready for careers that
make use of science knowledge.

28. Curriculum and Instruction
25. Students are prepared to learn well from instruction that
is aligned with NGSS-ESS.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

29. How can the geoscience education community help teachers
implement the changes in curriculum and instruction called for
by the Framework and the NGSS?
Such as with respect to:
• The materials that teachers have available for use?
• Being prepared to conduct NGSS-aligned instruction?
• Preparing students to be successful when instruction is
aligned with NGSS?
What would resources and activities to address this look like?
Curriculum and Instruction

30. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

31. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Teacher Readiness & Resources
32. Converting science lessons to align with NGSS-ESS is
something most teachers do not know how to do.

32. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Teacher Readiness & Resources
34. Many organizations have provided resources that can be
used in instruction that is aligned with NGSS-ESS.

33. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Teacher Readiness & Resources
35. Information about how to effectively implement NGSS-
ESS has been provided to teachers in my school system.

34. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Teacher Readiness & Resources
36. Typical science teachers’ professional preparation and
experience is adequate for implementing NGSS-ESS.

35. Teacher Readiness & Resources
How can the geoscience education community help teachers be
ready with skills and resources needed for the implementation
of the Framework and NGSS?
Such as with respect to:
• Materials and resources other than curriculum materials that may
be needed and/or useful?
• Professional development other than what might be focused on
instructional practice?
• Adapting existing materials so that they can be used in NGSS-
aligned instruction?
What would resources and activities to address this look like?

36. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

37. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Professional Development
38. There are adequate local professional development
opportunities for teachers who want to know more about
implementing NGSS-ESS.

38. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Professional Development
39. Professional development in science generally includes a
substantial focus on Earth and Space Sciences.

39. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Professional Development
40. NGSS-ESS implementation would be enhanced if there
were more opportunities for science research
experiences for teachers.

40. 1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4
Professional Development
42. There are many national groups that provide high quality
professional development for NGSS-ESS.

41. Professional Development
How can the geoscience education community help to generate
professional development experiences that prepare
professionals to implement the Framework and the NGSS?
Such as with respect to:
• General models of professional development that can be used
across many contexts?
• Adapting models of professional development to specific
instructional contexts (e.g., to local adaptations of NGSS)?
• Including not only science teachers but other professionals (e.g.,
administrators, teaching assistants) who are part of the overall
implementation?
What would resources and activities that address this look like?

42. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework & NGSS
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

43. Assessment
44. There are sufficient assessment resources available for
teachers to gauge student success in NGSS-ESS-aligned
instruction.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

44. Assessment
45. The end of grade level assessment of students used in my
district is well-aligned with NGSS-ESS.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

45. Assessment
48. Students are well-prepared to demonstrate their
understanding of science content using assessment types
that align with NGSS-ESS.
1 Strongly Disagree
2 Disagree
3 Agree
4 Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4

46. Assessment
How can the geoscience education community help with
respect to the need to assess instruction that is aligned with
the Framework and NGSS?
Such as by:
• Creating/adapting assessment instruments, techniques, and/or
programs?
• Developing models by which assessment can be interpreted?
• Communicating results to stakeholders (e.g., with respect o the fact
that these assessments might yield results unlike what has taken
place in the past)?
What would resources and activities that address this look like?

47. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment

48. Six Broad Categories for Survey
• Framework
• Support (Advocacy)
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teacher Readiness & Resources
• Professional Development
• Assessment
Others…?

49. In general, what can the geoscience education community do
to take advantage of the opportunities and potential benefits
offered by the Framework and NGSS with respect to Earth and
Space Science?
Such as with respect to:
• Planning and taking action?
• Operating in ways that are mutually supportive?
• Enlisting the support of the broadest network of stakeholders
possible?
• Taking advantage of what has been learned by past
initiatives?
• Thinking about these opportunities and benefits in ways
unlike how past initiatives have been approached?

50. Thank you
for your time, attention, and efforts
on behalf of Earth and space
science education!

51. Responses to Consider
Framework & NGSS
We have no idea what this is, when the school
system plans to implement it or how…I have no
clue what this will mean to me and my teaching.
(Teacher – Non-adopting State)
The Framework is extremely easy to follow. I wish
that all states could utilize it in order to better
prepare their students for the future of science
education.
(Supervisor – Non-adopting State)

52. Responses to Consider
Support (Advocacy)
Common core and the PARCC (are) at the forefront of
parents and administrators, not NGSS.
(Adopting state – Teacher)
There has been minimal coverage of NGSS from local
media...from my perspective. I'm not at all certain the
local community for my school has even heard of
NGSS. No parent of any student has asked me anything
about NGSS.
(Adopting School System – Teacher)

53. Responses to Consider
Curriculum and Instruction
• At first, we tried to make small adjustments to
our current curriculum, but found that to
really embrace the NGSS, we had to alter the
way we teach science K - 5.
(Teacher—adopting system)

54. March 27 Webinar Recording:
http://nagt.org/nagt/profdev/workshops/ngss_summit/wysession_webinar/index.html
Virtual Discussion Board
http://nagt.org/nagt/profdev/workshops/ngss_summit/discussions.html
Information about the Summit
http://nagt.org/nagt/profdev/workshops/ngss_summit/discussions.html
Twitter Hashtag for the NGSS Summit: #ngssaction