These are the elements of effective education that KSDE is prioritizing in our work and in the school improvement model. Throughout this year we will focus on how these fundamentals align with what happens in our science classrooms across the state.
Standards Alignment refers to clearly defined student learning expectations aligned to Kansas State Standards and supported with evidence-based instruction and materials. Content, lessons, instruction, and materials should support the standards.
We align lessons, instruction, and materials to Kansas standards and clearly identify what students must know and be able to do. This includes interpersonal, intrapersonal, and cognitive skills in pre-K-12.
This toolkit is designed to outline the 7 steps of the Standards Alignment Process and highlight the tools available from KSDE to support each step for the science standards. (LINK)
A note on "priority standards": The Kansas Department of Education reviews and approves standards, based on the input of educators and private citizens in Kansas. The Kansas State standards reflect what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. State assessments reflect and incorporate standards and as such, we do not recommend prioritizing standards at the exclusion of other standards. (link to KSDE guidance)
Unpacked Standards
The NGSS serve as the adopted Kansas Curricular Standards for Science for grades K–12. These standards outline the expectations for all students across the state. We recognize that the NGSS are complex and multi-layered. To help educators better understand what the standards require—and to promote consistency in science education statewide—we have unpacked the science standards to use a reference. With this reference, there should not be a need for individual teachers to unpack the standards. These were unpacked by classroom teachers, reviewed by classroom teachers, and revised based on feedback.
Unpacked Standards for Middle School (6-8) and Elementary School (k-5) are currently under review/revision. These are expected Summer 2025.
Standards-Alignment has clearly defined student learning expectations aligned to Kansas State Standards and supported with evidence-based instruction and materials .
Standards Alignment Toolkit
Coming soon -- unpacked standards tools for middle school & elementary
Recommended Bundles for scope and sequence:
KSDE Fact Sheet for Prioritization of Standards
Quality Instruction refers to implementation of evidence-based lesson design that reflects high expectations, meaningful student engagement, and learning activities aligned to the Kansas State Standards. A data-driven system of differentiated supports is necessary to help each student meet rigorous state standards.
KSDE Vision for Quality Science Instruction
DRAFT -- Observation Tool for Quality Science Instruction
KSDE Science Instructional Materials Selection Guidance
KSDE Instructional Materials Implementation Guidance
2023 Science Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool
A Balanced Assessment System refers to a collection of varying types of assessments that provide feedback regarding instruction and student learning. It utilizes assessment as a measure for learning and of learning.
Screener/Diagnostics
There is not a science-specific screener. We recommend using math and reading screeners to identify students who may need additional support in science.
KAP
The Kansas Assessment Program (KAP) develops and supports the state summative assessment, the interim assessments in the fall and winter, and the mini-test item bank.
State Summative
Interims (Fall and Winter)
Mini-test item bank - Access on Kite Educator Portal
Classroom Based Assessments
Pre-assessment
Formative
informal
formal
Unit and/or Course summative
Structured Literacy refers to the explicit, systematic, diagnostic, and cumulative approach to teaching literacy that acknowledges the value of both word recognition and oral and written language comprehension as evidenced in all grades and disciplines.
Standards Alignment Professional Development
This spring & summer we are offering summer SCIENCE professional development opportunities all across the state!
Due to changes to our federal funding source, we have had to make some adjustments to the PD plans and are not able to offer this PD for free, but we have done our best to keep costs low.
COST: $35
College credit available
The PD at each location will be similar content, but may be structured differently -- some locations will be grade specific, others will be k-12. Find the location and model that works best for you!
Science Standards Alignment Professional Learning .docxSome ways we can collaborate...
Assessment Data Talks
Quality Instructional materials conversations
Co-planning for professional development
Facilitating professional development
Supporting implementation of storyline routines
Making sense of the science standards
Analyzing for standards alignment
Science PLC support
Let’s connect and collaborate!
KSDE Science Collaboration
Click through on the map to see where and how KSDE science is collaborating with schools and school systems across the state!
Virtual Collaboration and Support Options
2024 KSDE Science Safety Guidance
2024 KSDE Science Constructive Coaching Tool (observations/walkthrough tool)
Kids Garden Community Resource Library
KidsGardening.org’s searchable Kids Garden Community Resource Library has curricula, webinars, lesson plans, digital interactives, and instructional guides to enhance K–12 teaching and learning through the garden. Educators can access everything from informational articles and practical guides for making the most of school-grown produce, such as Starting and Maintaining a School Garden (grades K–12) or Garden to Cafeteria Toolkit (grades K–12), to curriculum materials that teach lifelong gardening skills, such as Growing a Wild NYC: A K–5 Urban Pollinator Curriculum (grades K–5) and Digging Into Soil: Garden Practicum (grades 9–12). Resources can be searched by type (e.g., videos, one pager, curriculum, lesson plan, activity, etc.); topic (e.g., Composting, Edible Gardens, Pollinators, Science, Soil, and so on), features (e.g., cost, learning standard, and language), and audience (e.g., early childhood, preschool, elementary, middle level, and high school).
NEW -- OpenSciEd Elementary Units Released
K - Sun Energy
K - Weather (NEW)
1 - Light Waves
1- Sound Waves (NEW)
2 - Earth's Land & Changing Shape
2 - Structure & Properties of Matter (NEW)
3 - Forces & Interactions
3 - Weather & Hazards (NEW)
4 - Collisions & Energy Transfer
4 - Electricity & Energy Transfer (NEW)
5 - Ecosystems & Matter Cycling
5 - Matter Properties (NEW)
Green Schools Campaign
Green Schools Campaign, a program of The Climate Reality Project (a nonprofit organization involved in education and advocacy related to climate change), is a youth-led, intergenerational campaign bringing together community members of all ages. The Green Schools Campaign is developing the leadership and grassroots organizing of young people to spearhead initiatives to transition their schools and communities to 100% clean energy. Currently, Green Schools Campaign is working with students ages 13 and older, as well as teachers who wish to provide support.
Teams of students and teachers in local school districts who are interested in running electrification/clean energy campaigns are welcome, as are those looking for general support and training on doing climate advocacy at their schools. As part of the campaign, members will have access to specialized advocacy skill-building workshops and small-group campaign team coaching from Climate Reality staff. Register on the Green Schools Campaign website. For answers to specific questions, e-mail youthprograms@climatereality.com.
Kids Garden Community Resource Library
KidsGardening.org’s searchable Kids Garden Community Resource Library has curricula, webinars, lesson plans, digital interactives, and instructional guides to enhance K–12 teaching and learning through the garden. Educators can access everything from informational articles and practical guides for making the most of school-grown produce, such as Starting and Maintaining a School Garden (grades K–12) or Garden to Cafeteria Toolkit (grades K–12), to curriculum materials that teach lifelong gardening skills, such as Growing a Wild NYC: A K–5 Urban Pollinator Curriculum (grades K–5) and Digging Into Soil: Garden Practicum (grades 9–12). Resources can be searched by type (e.g., videos, one pager, curriculum, lesson plan, activity, etc.); topic (e.g., Composting, Edible Gardens, Pollinators, Science, Soil, and so on), features (e.g., cost, learning standard, and language), and audience (e.g., early childhood, preschool, elementary, middle level, and high school).
