Reminder: Public Input Sought on Science Standards

The Iowa Department of Education announced a series of February public forums and an online survey following a state panel’s recommendation to get public feedback on the Next Generation Science Standards. This is the name of science standards developed by 26 states, including Iowa, that all states can consider adopting and adapting to meet their needs. 

Academic standards represent expectations for what students should know and be able to do from kindergarten through high school. Iowa’s academic standards are being reviewed, starting with science, as part of Executive Order 83. 

The process began last fall when Buck convened a team of education and business leaders to review Iowa’s science standards, as well as rigorous science standards from other states, and to make a preliminary recommendation for improvement to take to the public for feedback. 

The science standards review team’s preliminary recommendation came in December, following three public meetings. 

Feedback from the February public forums and survey will be used to provide guidance to the science standards review team, which is expected to submit a final recommendation regarding science standards to the State Board of Education later this year. 

Buck said fine-tuning Iowa’s science standards is especially critical as the state works to bolster its commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education so that students can compete for a growing number of STEM-related jobs. 

The survey will be open through Feb. 27. 

Iowans also can provide feedback in person at any of the four public forums in February. 

To read the Next Generation Science Standards, visit the Next Generation website. 

To read Iowa’s academic standards, visit the Iowa Core website.