The K-16 Science Council has been meeting to develop a needs assessment (Phase I of the Cycle of Program Review, per Policy IL), of science education, K-12, in our schools. This group of teachers, parents, community members, and professors is working to answer the question, "What is the current state of affairs, relative to the standard of practice?" In other words, "What are the accepted best practices in science education?"
The work of the council is informed greatly by the National Research Council's Science Education Standards, as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The council has identified relevant stakeholders, and is in the process of collecting internal documents such as curriculum guides and common assessments that describe the current program. In addition, the council is engaged in a review of the literature. Members of the council will collaborate around the development of a family survey, and will gather input from students and teachers through focus groups.