DOCUMENT RESUME ED 445 886 SE 063 691 TITLE Science Literacy for ALL Students: The Rhode Island Science Framework. INSTITUTION Rhode Island State Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education, Providence. SPONS AGENCY Department of Education, Washington, DC.; National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. PUB DATE 1995-00-00 NOTE 337p. CONTRACT R168A20018; TPE-9150056 AVAILABLE FROM RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Shepard Building, 255 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903-3400. PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classroom (055)-- Reference Materials - General (130) EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PC14 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Academic Standards; *Educational Change; Educational Research; Elementary Secondary Education; *Evaluation; Inclusive Schools; *Science Curriculum; Science Education; *Scientific Literacy; *State Curriculum Guides; Teaching Methods IDENTIFIERS *Rhode Island ABSTRACT The Rhode Island Science Framework presents a LaLionale for the importance of science within the K-12 school curriculum; suggests ways in which science teaching and learning can be supported by the larger system; addresses issues related to science content, assessment of science learning, evaluation of a school's or district's science program; and provides resources for information and technical assistance. The science framework links directly to and expands upon the state's Common Core of Learning as it relates to science education. The contents of this report include descriptions of the Common Core of Learning and the Science Framework; explanations of the philosophy of and definitions for the Science Framework; a list of selected Benchmarks; discussion of insights from research into learning and teaching science, and teaching science in an inclusive way; explanations of techniques foi organizing the school system to support quality science education; descriptions of methods for assessment and science program evaluation; and a list of resources for Rhode Island schools. (WRM) BEST COPY AVAILABLE Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. vr.) 00 00 Science Literacy forALL Students The Rhode Island ScienceFramework Published by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education EDUCATION BEST COPY AVAILABLE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF Improvement Office of Educational Research and PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS as BEEN GRANTED BY This document has been reproduced ed from the person ororganization originating it. Minor changes have been madeto improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated inthis TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES document do not necessarily represent INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) official OERI position or policy. 1 Science Literacy for ALL Students The Rhode Island Science Framework moo110Mo Published by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education na. .., 4Moot" 3 STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS Lincoln Almond, Governor RHODE ISLAND BOARD OF REGENTS FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION Frederick Lippitt, Esq., Chairman Elia Germani, Esq., Vice Chairman Patricia Houlihan, Secretary Senator Stephen Alves Robert J. Canavan Representative Paul W. Crowley Phyllis D. Fish George Graboys Mary Sylvia Harrison Mary C. Ross Donna Walsh RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION Peter Mc Walters, Commissioner The Board of Regents does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, color, or handicap in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Education under Award No. R168A20018 and by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement No. TPE 9150056. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Education or the National Science Foundation. CONTRIBUTORS This science framework has been coordinated by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and written by representatives of the Rhode Island community. In addition, we acknowledge the many reviewers, both in-state and national, who contributed to the document in its present form. Nettie Alexander, Providence School Department, Co-Chair Michael Iacona, Coventry Middle School, Co-Chair Ana Amaral, West Elementary School, Providence Cheryl August, Nayatt School, Barrington Dr. Maurice Berg, Coventry Middle School, Coventry Leslie Bettencourt, Lincoln Junior/Senior High School, Lincoln Patricia Brakenhoff, Applicon, Inc., Jamestown Mary Ann E. Breaton, Project 2061, AAAS, Washington, DC May Briggs, St. Mary's School, Pawtucket Marjorie Bucheit, University of Rhode Island, Kingston Stephen Burke, Woonsocket Middle School, Woonsocket Paul Capaldo, Riverside Junior High School, East Providence Lynette Clifford, Warwick School Department, Warwick Judith Costa, Barrington High School, Barrington Dennis Coutu, Independent Consultant, Coventry Earnest Cox, Chamber of Commerce High School, Providence Lynne Davis, Exeter-West Greenwich High School, West Greenwich Patricia Davis Austin, Independent Consultant, Wenham, MA Ron DeFronzo, East Bay Collaborative, Portsmouth Mike Ferrance, North Kingstown High School, North Kingstown Judith Fishel, Kickemuit Middle School, Bristol-Warren Frank Floor, East Providence High School, East Providence Pamela Fontaine, LaSalle Academy, Providence Jackie Forbes, Nayatt School, Barrington Mine B. Frappier, Community College of RI, Warwick Thomas W. Gray, Cumberland School Department, Cumberland Dr. Mary Louise Greeley, Salve Regina University, Newport Dr. Richard Green, Rhode Island College, Providence Kristen Greene, The Providence Center, Providence Dr. Barrett Hazeltine, Brown University, Providence Dr. David Heskett, University of Rhode Island, Kingston Cathy Hiatt, Barrington School Department, Barrington Ronald Kahn, Central High School, Providence Nancy Kelly, Independent Consultant, Coventry Dr. MacGregor Kniseley, Rhode Island College, Providence Dr. Janice Koch, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY Dr. Robert I. Krasner, Providence College, Providence Fred Lamb, Chariho Regional High School, Chariho Maria Lawrence, Coventry Middle School, Coventry Anna L. Ledoux, Chariho Middle School, Chariho Harriet Loomis, Wickford Middle School, North Kingstown Mary Lou Mancini-Galipeau, Chariho regional Schools, Chariho Joseph Maruszczak, Ponaganset High School, Foster-Glocester Leslie McIver, Camp E-Hun-Tee, Exeter Dr. Kathleen Melander, Warwick School Department, Warwick Al Menard, Savoie Elementary School, Woonsocket Zolange Munoz, The Providence Center, Providence Dr. Daniel Murray, University of Rhode Island, Kingston Diane Novak, Lincoln Central Elementary School, Lincoln Nancy Nowak, Nathan Bishop Middle School, Providence Rhode Island Science Framework Dr. Richard Oswald, Ponaganset High School, Foster-Glcoester Susanna Parsons, William D'Abate School, Providence J. Carlson Pickering, Richmond High School, Richmond David E. Preble, Chariho Regional High School, Chariho Patricia Rakovic, Sargent Rehabilitation Center, Providence Russell Rapose, Pilgrim High School, Warwick Diane Russo, St. Matthew's School, Cranston Dr. Malcolm Rutherford, Brown University, Providence Kathleen Siok, North Kingstown High School, North Kingstown Robert Snow, Cumberland School Department, Cumberland Michael Specht, Classical High School, Providence Elizabeth Sullivan, Cranston High School East, Cranston Ellen Thompson, St. Luke's School, Barrington Dr. Marjorie Thompson, Brown University, Providence Dennis Velozo, Wilbur & McMahon Schools, Little Compton Keith Winsten, Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence Dr. Robert E. Yager, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA RI Department of Education Staff Marcia Campbell Renie Cervone Dr. Dennis Cheek Dr. Marie C. DiBiasio Amy Cohen Virginia daMota Dr. Pasquale J. De Vito William Fiske Faith Fog le Nancy Frausel Marilyn Gounaris Jackie Harrington Dr. Ellen Hedlund Jack Keough Maria Lindia Robert Pryhoda Rocco Rainone Susan Rotblat-Walker Dr. Frank Santoro Dr. Diane Schaefer Frank Walker Ina Woolman Substantial portions of chapters 4 and 5 are drawn from the 1992 report of the Special Legislative Commission on Mathematics and Science Education in Rhode Island. Chapter 8 is adapted from, but substantially based upon Statements of Principles, Assessment in Mathematics and Science Education published by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement and the Mathematics and Science Performance Assessment Handbook for Teachers and Administrators published by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in December of 1994. COVER ART: Lay Thet, 9th grade student and Marjorie Gallo, teacher Bain Junior High School, Cranston, Rhode Island 6 Rhode Island Science Framework TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. The Rhode Island Common Core of Learning and the Rhode Island Science Framework 2. Philosophy and Definitions for the Science Framework 3. Selected Rhode Island Benchmarks Scope and Sequence Science Process Skills A. The Nature of Technology B. The Physical Setting C. The Living Environment D. The Human Organism 4. Insights from Research on the Learning and Teaching of Science 5. Teaching Science in an Inclusive Way 6. Organizing the System to Support Quality Science Education 7. Assessment in Science 8. Evaluating the School Science Program