Next Generation Science Standards are Here
More than three years in the making, the Next Generation Science Standards are here. The K–12 science standards are the result of a collaborative, stateled process aimed at providing all students with an internationally benchmarked science education. An executive summary of the standards states, “Coupling practice with content gives the learning context, whereas practices alone are activities, and content alone is memorization. The integration of rigorous content and application reflects how science and engineering is practiced in the real world.” Public opinion about the standards is mixed. In a recent New York Times article, authors Jennifer Cutraro and Katherine Schulten asked, “What Do You Think of the New Next Generation Science Standards?” One teacher writes, “I think the new standards are the way to go, and the fact that they are tied to the Common Core helps to align education in three major fields.” Another writes, “Frankly, these standards as reported don’t sound that different from what my now-high-school-graduate children were taught.” What do you think? Learn more at www.nextgenscience.org
PARCC Releases Performance Level Descriptors Draft
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) released the draft grade- and subject-specific performance level descriptors (PLDs) in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics for public comment. These new draft grade- and subjectspecific PLDs aim to further articulate the knowledge, skills, and practices that students performing at a given level should be able to demonstrate in each content area. PARCC invited public comment on the draft through May 8, 2013, and will vote on the adoption of the final PLDs during their joint session on June 26, 2013. Read more at www.parcconline.org/plds.
CoSN Refreshes Acceptable Use Policy Guide for School Districts
CoSN has issued a refreshed acceptable use policy (AUP) guide, titled “Rethinking Acceptable Use Policies to Enable Digital Learning: A Guide for School Districts.” The AUP Guide addresses the following eight key questions:
1. How does policy differ from procedure, and does the difference matter?
2. What federal laws regulate Internet use in schools?
3. What state laws regulate Internet use in schools?
4. What are the ways that school districts develop or revise the AUP?
5. When—and how often—should school district AUPs be updated?
6. What are the implications of moving from an acceptable use policy to a responsible use policy?
7. Where can you find samples of AUPs?
8. What are some timely, relevant, and useful resources pertaining to the use of digital media for learning?
To access the free guide, visit: www.cosn.org/AUPguide.
