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USA National Science Education Standards
Correlation Matrices
Preface
Science standards identify what students should know and be
able to do in science by the end of a particular grade level or
levels. This section will focus on only the Science as Inquiry
standards of the National Science Education Standards (NSES) for
grades K-4 and 5-8.
The Science as Inquiry standards have been placed in a matrix format
to assist schools as they apply the standards to their science
programs. All Science as Inquiry standards are listed in the left
columns under Standards and under Concepts and Investigations. At
the right are spaces under specific grade-level headings, grades K
through 4 or 5 through 8. Teachers and administrators wishing to
ensure that their science program meets the NSES inquiry standards
can use this format to review the specific standards statements,
then note in the spaces to the right the grade levels in which the
standard is being met. For example, Standard A. 1. b. in the Grades
K-4 standards is, Students will "Plan and conduct a simple
investigation." In grades K-4, children may be involved in a number
of investigations. Children may investigate the effect of varying
amounts of water on the growth of bean seedlings, the effect of
light on Isopod habitats, the effect of light on soil temperatures,
the food preferences of ants, the effect of paper clips on the
distances flown by paper airplanes, and so on. These examples and
others like them, and/or the pages in the curriculum they came from,
would be marked appropriately in the Grades K, 1, 2, 3 and/or 4
columns of the matrix to the right of standard A. 1. b.
Comparing the learning experiences included in the curriculum to the
standard enables school personnel to discern whether or not the
standard is being met. In the foregoing simple investigation
example, the standard may be met across a number of grade levels.
Conversely, if standard A. 1. b. reveals only blank spaces in the
matrix, and few investigations are planned and conducted by
students, this indicates that more investigative experiences should
be added to the curriculum. It should be noted that while a
particular standard need not be met at each and every grade level,
simple investigations by students is a crucial one in science.
Students learn science by doing science. Most curricula today
include many student investigations, ensuring that this standard is
met repeatedly in every grade level.
The Science as Inquiry matrices may also be used to assess textbook,
modules, kits, or other science curriculum materials being
considered for adoption and use. If a school is using the National
Science Education Standards, it may wish to apply the standards to
ensure that the considered curriculum materials do, in fact, measure
up to the standards.
Download the USA National Science Education Standards Correlation
Matrix Grades K-4
Download the USA National Science Education Standards Correlation
Matrix Grades 5-8
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