The Next Generation Science Standards: Saving K-12 Science Education

The United States has been struggling to provide effective K-12 science education. In response, states began adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) in 2013 with the hopes of improving science education in the United States. As the NGSS become more common throughout schools in the U.S. it is important to begin collecting data on how they are affecting science education. This study was designed to collect preliminary data on the effectiveness of the NGSS in preparing students for college-level biology. University students with varying levels of exposure to the NGSS were given a biology benchmark assessment that is aligned with the standards to determine preparedness for university level biology. In addition, participants were given a demographic survey to determine if factors outside of exposure to the NGSS that could affect performance on the benchmark assessment. After analyzing the benchmark assessment scores, I identified the content areas with the weakest performance and thus a future point of focus for high school biology courses. Furthermore, I analyzed the benchmark assessment scores in relation to the demographic survey and determined that there were very few factors that affect benchmark assessment scores. It is important to continue to watch and evaluate the effectiveness of the NGSS since without satisfactory science education, students will be unprepared for college level coursework.