New Science Education Conceptual Framework for a New Generation

New York, New York, February 2, 2010 — To lay the groundwork for the development of a Conceptual Framework for a new generation of science standards, an expert committee--including top minds in academia from across the diversity of science fields and education research-- met last week in public session to discuss improving science learning and understanding among U.S. students and the general public.

Chairing the National Research Council's Conceptual Framework for New Science Education Standards Committee is Dr. Helen Quinn, professor of physics at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, National Accelerator Laboratory. The National Research Council's rigorous study and review process will develop a science learning Conceptual Framework to reinforce the importance of science education in our increasingly science-dominated society.

Underpinning this effort is a set of recommendations for standards drawn from "Opportunity Equation: Transforming Mathematics and Science Education for Citizenship and the Global Economy," the June 2009 report by the Carnegie Corporation of New York - Institute for Advanced Study Commission on Mathematics and Science Education. Supporting the Opportunity Equation's initiative for change, Carnegie Corporation of New York has made a number of grants to groups such as the National Academies, Achieve, Inc. and Council of Chief State School Officers and the Alliance for Excellent Education.

The National Research Council committee will continue its open process with additional opportunities for public comment, including public meetings and web-based feedback mechanisms. Information about the project, the committee’s first meeting, how to share feedback and the list of committee members can be found on the NRC Web site.