Rhode Island may prove to be the first state to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards issued in final form last month. The state board of education is expected to vote on the standards at its next meeting, on May 23.
I’m told that the standards had a “very positive reception” among board members at a May 8 work session.
The Ocean State was among the 26 “lead state partners” that helped to develop the new science standards in collaboration with several national organizations. All of the lead states have pledged to seriously consider adoption. And as I reported earlier this year, some other states also are contemplating following suit, including Florida, Louisiana, and Wisconsin.
Considerable attention already has turned to laying the groundwork for implementing the standards, as I report in the first of a two-part Education Week series on implementation of the standards. The story probes some of the big issues, including professional development and teacher education, curriculum and instructional materials, and assessment.
Other early adopter states may include Maine and Kentucky. Maine officials have signaled that a vote is likely this spring. And in Kentucky, a vote on provisional adoption is expected in June.
I should note, however, that the standards are not being welcomed with open arms from all quarters, as this blog post explains.