The Following Content Is Credited To:http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/curriculum/reforms/nses/

Click on link above for additional information regarding national standards and the shift in science instruction and assessment.

National Science Education Standards

The National Science Education Standards (NSES) are guidelines for K-12 science education in United States schools. They were established by the National Research Council in 1996 to provide a set of goals for teachers to set for their students and for administrators to provide professional development. The NSES have significnatly influenced various states' own science learning standards and state-wide standardized testing. The tables below are summaries of key issues expressed in the NSES.

PDF Documents

Complete National Science Education Standards (pdf)
Overview of NSES Content Standards
Ellis, J. (2004). The Influence of the National Science Education Standards on the Science Curriculum. in Hollweg, K. and D. Hill., eds. What is the influence of the National Science Education Standards? Steering Committee on Taking Stock of the National Science Education Standards: The Research, National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Science Education K-12, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education. 39-63.