The Next Generation Science Standards

(Grades K-12) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 36T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC40102

Course Description

Have you tried to make sense of the Next Generation Science Standards without feeling successful? Are you overwhelmed because your district has recently adopted these new standards and you are not sure where to begin? This online course is designed for teachers in grades K-12 who want to begin to unpack the complexity of the Next Generation Science Standards. This course takes teachers through a step-by-step explanation of the standards, including how to interpret the science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas at each respective grade band. The role of curricula is discussed, as well as how Universal Design for Learning plays an important role in the assessment of the standards. Teachers will be introduced to an overview of assessment and how it applies to the Next Generation Science standards, as well as a brief overview of how to bundle some of the core ideas contained within the standards. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from UC San Diego Extension. For detailed information on university credit, click here.

"This is a very well put together course!! I have really learned a lot about the new standards and how they are meant to be implemented." - Carol Dicksen

Required Resource Book

This course has a modestly-priced required resource book (available in both new and used versions) that can be purchased through Amazon using the following link. Note that you can begin and participate in your course before the book arrives.

Proficiency Scales for the New Science Standards: A Framework for Science Instruction and Assessment by Robert Marzano, David Yanoski, and Diane Paynter

If you are registering for multiple courses, use the following link to access the book list for all PDI courses with direct purchase links through Amazon. PDI Course Resource Book List