Time to mobilize the troops again! Do you or someone you know live in or near the Waukee, Ottumwa, Dubuque and Sioux City area?
The Iowa Department of Education (DOE) has asked for public comment on the issue of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Please make plans now to attend one or more of these public hearings to oppose NGSS:
Wednesday, February 11: Waukee
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Waukee Community Schools District Office – Board Room
560 Southeast University Avenue, Waukee, IA
Tuesday, February 24: Ottumwa
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Great Prairie Area Education Agency, Ottumwa Office – Auditorium
2814 North Court Street, Ottumwa, IA
Wednesday, February 25: Dubuque
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Keystone Area Education Agency, Dubuque Office – Room 1 ABC
2310 Chaney Road, Dubuque, IA
Thursday, February 26: Sioux City
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Northwest Area Education Agency, Administrative Office – Room A/Auditorium
1520 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA
The Next Generation Science Standards are a set of standards that emphasize learning in three dimensions: Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. Many education organizations stand against NGSS. Here are two for example:
Citizens for Objective Public Education put out a press release, Cope Recommends Against Science Standards, against the NGSS that is helpful in understanding the concerns.
Truth in America Education put out a great article on NGSS, Fordham Institute: Next Generation Science Standards Five Flaws.
Click here to read the NGSS for yourself.
The upcoming DOE hearings will accept input on the NGSS only. The hearings will NOT accept any comments or input regarding Common Core (Math and English Language Arts). We realize that many opponents of Common Core are also against the NGSS, but for these hearings, only comments regarding the NGSS will be allowed.
If you plan to attend the Waukee hearing and you plan to speak or have a statement you would like to be read, click here.
We expect pro-NGSS people at these hearings so it’s important that we make a showing to send a message to the Iowa DOE. Your presence is important if this issue is important to you … even if you do not speak in front of the group.
Whether or not you are able to attend these hearings, please pray they will be well attended and that the Iowa DOE will back track on this issue.