New Science Standards: A Readiness Assessment for State Boards of Education

State implementation of new standards (revising, adapting, and adopting new standards) is a significant undertaking. Such an effort at the state level requires extensive support, planning, and resources. Implementing new state standards also requires the support of multiple education leaders—governors, legislators, state departments of education, school and district administrators, teachers, and state boards of education (SBEs)—each of whom holds important and varying roles in the education system.

The National Association of State Boards of Education and the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders aim to support SBEs in the leadership roles they can and do play relative to implementing new science standards such as the Next Generation Science Standards. Indeed, SBEs can, and often do, provide important leadership in setting policies related to state standards, advocating for change, and bringing multiple stakeholders together.

Many states are just beginning to consider whether to modify existing science standards, adapt standards being used in other states, or develop new ones. This document is intended to guide SBEs through this complex process. While many organizations have developed resources to support implementation of new science standards, this document goes beyond others by providing clear examples, resources, and a step-by-step process that SBEs can use to begin this work.