Scope
R5CC will support and coach KDE staff in facilitating – particularly in virtual environments and using effective processes to build consensus – the Science Standards Team, Advisory Panel (AP), Review Committee (RC) and the Standards and Assessments Process Review Committee (SAPRC) at they review the Kentucky Science standards. Facilitation will support the Standards Team, AP, and RC in consulting evidence-based practices, standards, and curriculum alignment tools to guide revision. (Reference: Standards Revision Process Critical Fact Sheet)
High-Leverage Problem
Kentucky’s Senate Bill 1 requires KDE to implement a process for reviewing and revising every 6 years the state’s academic standards for reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. KY was one of 26 lead state partners who developed the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); and updates made to KY Science standards in June 2015 reflect NGSS. In 2018, KY students’ science proficiency in grades 4, 7, and 11 was assessed using a comprehensive test developed by KY science teachers and based on NGSS. This revision process is an opportunity to reflect on recent research on effective science education standards (e.g., active learning boosting academic achievement for all science students, but especially helpful for Black and Latino students in closing the science achievement gap) and areas of growth and continued need identified in science proficiency assessment results.
Approach to Capacity Building Services
R5CC supported KDE staff in revising the World Language (WL) Academic Standards in FY20. R5CC will support KDE staff it previously worked with and KDE staff new to the revision process in implementing the structures, processes, and feedback produced by the R5CC and KDE during the WL Standards revision process. Previous capacity built in facilitating the WL Standards process will guide KDE's review and revision of Science academic standards and inform additional capacities needed for future revisions in other content areas.
Terry Lashley, Ph.D.