Implementing Next Generation Science Standards–Designed Curriculum Materials: Promising Results From an Efficacy Study

• In Event: Applied Research on Science Education in Schools

Abstract

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) reflect an ambitious vision for science education where students investigate phenomena or solve problems through three-dimensional learning. Because the NGSS are so different from prior standards, the need for high-quality curriculum materials is especially great. As new curricula go to scale, it will be important to conduct evidence-based research on their efficacy. We conducted a randomized experiment to examine the efficacy of a widely available NGSS-designed middle school curriculum for improving seventh grade students’ learning in physical science. A hierarchical linear modeling approach was applied to analyze student learning outcomes as measured by an NGSS-aligned assessment. Initial findings demonstrate evidence of promise of the curriculum materials for supporting three-dimensional teaching and learning.

Authors

• Mingyu Feng, WestEd

• Robert F. Murphy

• Christopher J. Harris, WestEd

• Daisy Wise Rutstein, edCount, LLC

• Suzanna Jane Loper, University of California - Berkeley