Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
For the past three decades, the New Mexico Academy of Science has proposed and defended adoption and implementation of Nationally written Science Standards. Traditionally the national standards (NSES and NGSS) are science standards that are "rich in content and practice and arranged in a coherent manner across disciplines and grades to provide all students an internationally bench marked science education. Basing New Mexico Science Standards on National standards supports teaching legitimate Science facts on evolution, and climate change in every classroom across the state.
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NMAS Actions Supporting NGSS:
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National Documents on Science Standards:
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A Short History of NMAS Involvement in Science Education Standards
In 1996 NMAS objected to Science Standards adopted by the NM State School Board that were influenced by Creationists and which eliminated facts about evolution. In the following years, NMAS provided testimony to NM legislators and State Board of Education members concerning the science of evolution. By 1999, the New Mexico State School Board of Education adopted new State-developed Science standards including evolution, defeating Creationists and Pro-Intelligent Design advocates.
In 2003 the NM Science Standards were designated for a state-wide review process. NMAS members participated in field reviews, soliciting community support they participated in the writing teams for creating NM Science supporting the National Science Education Standards (NSES). The NM Public Education Department adopted these scientifically accurate standards, based on NSES, in part due to the leadership of NMAS and community scientists and engineers.
It was also in 2003 that NMAS successfully lobbied for stopping a public television KNME transmission of an anti-evolution Intelligent Design inspired documentary, and testified before the local Rio Rancho School Board in favor of eliminating anti-evolution language in local district’s Science Standards. Rio Rancho acted on the NMAS advice.
In April 2013 the final version of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was released nation-wide. The new Science Standards were a cooperative effort of National Academies of Science, American Association for Advancement of Science, National Science Foundation, and National Research Center. From 2013 thru 2018, NMAS supported Next Generation Science Standards NGSS with testimony at state government legislative hearings and for Public Education Department PED administrators. NMAS recruited local and state professional science organizations to join the effort to adopt NGSS.
In 2018 the New Mexico Public Education Department finally approved NGSS inserting six additional New Mexico Specific Science Standards. These combined documents are named The NM STEM Ready Science Standards and apply to all NM students and educators.
In 2003 the NM Science Standards were designated for a state-wide review process. NMAS members participated in field reviews, soliciting community support they participated in the writing teams for creating NM Science supporting the National Science Education Standards (NSES). The NM Public Education Department adopted these scientifically accurate standards, based on NSES, in part due to the leadership of NMAS and community scientists and engineers.
It was also in 2003 that NMAS successfully lobbied for stopping a public television KNME transmission of an anti-evolution Intelligent Design inspired documentary, and testified before the local Rio Rancho School Board in favor of eliminating anti-evolution language in local district’s Science Standards. Rio Rancho acted on the NMAS advice.
In April 2013 the final version of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) was released nation-wide. The new Science Standards were a cooperative effort of National Academies of Science, American Association for Advancement of Science, National Science Foundation, and National Research Center. From 2013 thru 2018, NMAS supported Next Generation Science Standards NGSS with testimony at state government legislative hearings and for Public Education Department PED administrators. NMAS recruited local and state professional science organizations to join the effort to adopt NGSS.
In 2018 the New Mexico Public Education Department finally approved NGSS inserting six additional New Mexico Specific Science Standards. These combined documents are named The NM STEM Ready Science Standards and apply to all NM students and educators.
Last updated: 10/01/2019
