Next Generation Science Standards Aligned Curriculum\u27s Impact on Students\u27 Academic Scores and Attitude towards Science

The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to compare student test scores and attitude toward science before and after the implementation of a curriculum aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. The Next Generation Science Standards are built on The Framework which include science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. The approach of The Framework is to allow for student-centered rather than teacher-led lessons. The Framework shares similar outcome goals as those with constructivist views as this theory focuses on learning by experience. The participants in this study were a convenience sample of 7th and 8th grade students who were taught using a NGSS aligned curriculum. Ex post facto data was collected to compare NWEA MAP test scores and MATS data prior to and after implementation of the curriculum. To determine if a NGSS aligned curriculum impacts NWEA scores and the MATS scores between students who participated in TCI’s NGSS aligned curriculum and those who received curriculum aligned to the state standards, t-tests were used. The results of this study show an increase in both the mean of the science scores and attitude toward science, but the increase is not statistically significant