Tortoise and the Hare: Adoption and Implementation of Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Networks for Policy Making in International Contexts

Abstract

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are both K-12 national standards that emphasize synthesis over rote memorization. Despite similarities, support for NGSS has increased steadily since its 2013 introduction, while CCSS has experienced intensifying opposition over the last five years. We use the Advocacy Coalition Framework (Jenkins-Smith, et al., 2014; Sabatier, 1986) to analyze the decisions made by those in support of CCSS and of NGSS during each policy’s adoption and early implementation periods. We find that key decisions made by NGSS supporters explain the divergent trajectories of these similar policies. These decisions represent an example of policy-oriented learning and contain important lessons for those researching, crafting, and implementing large-scale education policies.

Authors

• Daniel Silver, University of Southern California

• Imogen Herrick, University of Southern California