Becoming the Change: A Critical Evaluation of the Changing Face of Life Science, as Reflected in the NGSS

Tennessee is one of the 26 lead state partners that volunteered to provide leadership and guidance to states for the purpose of adoption of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS. As stated in the Tennessee Vision for STEM Education (2009), "Tennessee recognizes the importance of science and aims to commit to this understanding by becoming involved in the development, and eventual adoption and implementation of NGSS." The present study correlates the Tennessee State Science Standards to the NGSS for High School Biology/ Life Sciences and examines the need for a dynamic set of standards that teach the technical skills and critical thinking needed in these scientific fields. The NGSS addresses a move from dated scientific quandaries and proposes standards supported by cutting edge scientific research and literature. Partnerships between scientists and educators allow for the information exchange necessary to implement the changes in scientific research in K-12 instruction. Professional development opportunities that include direct partnerships with scientists foster the continued understanding and skills required to teach science.