Leonardtown, MD — Science education in Maryland public schools will be undergoing a paradigm shift. The St. Mary’s County Board of Education got a peek inside the Next Generation Science Standards during a briefing at their Jan. 13 meeting.

The changes, which will be fully implemented by the 2017-18 school year, include a shift away from rote memorization of facts and terminology. That will be replaced by a science education that “involves more facts and terminology learned as needed while developing explanations and designing solutions supported by evidence based arguments and reasoning,” according to a Power Point presentation from Supervisor of Science Jason Hayes.

The new science standards are based on what is called “3-Dimensional Learning” that includes:
1. Asking questions and defining problems
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information

Starting with the next school year, grades 5 and 8 students will no longer take the MSA tests. Instead, they will pilot the new state assessment, the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA). The 5th Grade MISA will contain material from Grades 3,4 and 5. The 8th Grade MISA will contain material from the Grades 6,7 and 8. Beginning in 2017-18, high school students will pilot the MISA instead of taking the Biology H.S.A.S.

Board member Cathy Allen questioned whether students would be able to remember everything they learned in previous grades. Hayes said refresher lessons could be conducted prior to the testing.

The school board is also embarking on purchasing of new textbooks. Testing of books from various vendors is occurring at all grade levels. Some of the current textbooks being used are almost 20 years old.

For more information about the Next Generation Science Standards in Maryland Public Schools go to http://mdk12.msde.maryland.gov/instruction/curriculum/science/

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com