Science SOL Institutes

Virginia Department of EducationLongwood University

Virginia Science Education Leadership Association (VSELA)Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST)

October 2010

Plan for the Day1) Overview of SOL review process and SOL documents

2) Overview of major changes in SOL

3) Vertical Strand Alignment

4) Scientific Inquiry

5) Nature of Science

6) Expectations

Code of Virginia§ 22.1-253.13:1. Standard 1. Instructional programs

supporting the Standards of Learning and other educational objectives.

The Board of Education shall establish educational objectives known as the Standards of Learning, which shall form the core of Virginia's educational program, and other educational objectives, which together are designed to ensure the development of the skills that are necessary for success in school and for preparation for life in the years beyond.

Standards of Learning Program

In 1995, the Board of Education of the Commonwealth of Virginia took an important step to raise the expectations for all students in public schools by adopting new Standards of Learning in the areas of English, mathematics, history and social science, science, and computer/technology.

Timeline for Review

Code of Virginia § 22.1-253.13:1-2. By October 1, 2000, the Board of Education shall establish a regular schedule, in a manner it deems appropriate, for the review, and revision as may be necessary, of the Standards of Learning in all subject areas. Such review of each subject area shall occur at least once every seven years. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the board from conducting such review and revision on a more frequent basis.

Science SOL Review

• The Science Standards of Learning were revised in 2003.

• The Virginia Board of Education scheduled and authorized a review to be completed by February 2010.

Science SOL Development and Revision

The development and revisions of the Standards of Learning were the result of broad based ‑representation of Virginians, including:

– educators – school boards – professional organizations – parents – community leaders – special interest groups • business and industry• Institutions of higher education

In addition, national experts were consulted, and public hearings were conducted across the state to garner public comments.

Science SOL Review• Started in January 2009

• 30 days of public comment

• Summer committees Teacher/division Higher Ed/State Agencies Business/Industry

Committee GuidelinesThe review of the Science Standards of Learning should ensure:

– accuracy of science context and content;– clear and concise standards;– fair and balanced standards;– balanced amount of course content;– chronological and coherent sequence development;– development of related themes and topics; and– development of skills to prepare students for the 21st

century.

Science SOL Review Timeline

First review at October 22, 2009 Board of Education meeting

– Followed by 30 days of public comment and public hearings

Revised SOL approved at Board of Education meeting on January 14, 2010

• Final version posted at http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_docs/science/review.shtml

• Announced via Supt. Memo #031-10 http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superintendents_memos/2010/031-10.shtml

Implementation• Begin 2010-2011/2011-2012• Full implementation 2012-2013

• Field-test items on Spring 2012 SOL test will be from 2010 Science SOL

• All items on Spring 2013 SOL test will be from 2010 Science SOL

Science SOL Review Timeline

Curriculum Framework• Committee met in June 2010• First Review on September 23, 2010• 30 days public comment• Final Review on November 18, 2010• Final version available Feb/March 2011

Science SOL Review Timeline

Summary of Changes Use consistent terminology and content in vertical

alignment of the standards

Update standards to include references to additional energy sources

Move examples and details to the Curriculum Framework

The .1 stem for the majority of the K-12 SOL changed to include the “nature of science.”

Real world applications added to .1 SOL

Revisions to SOL: K-12Introduction

• Added on link to all SOL on website

• Preface

• Additional goal added related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (#8)

• Application section added

Revisions to SOL: Elementary

K-5 Overall Revisions

• revised order of the .1 standard

• strong emphasis on the use of data

• consistency of vocabulary

Revisions to SOL: ElementaryKindergarten

• K.6 (added): Living and Nonliving

Grade One• 1.1e: nonstandard measurement only,

measurement of temperature added

• 1.6b: Earth’s rotation removed• 1.6c: relative position of the sun

Revisions to SOL: ElementaryGrade Two

• 2.1e: standard measurement using both metric and standard English units

• 2.3a: distinguishing characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases

• 2.5d: study of fossils added

• 2.6b: weather data interpretation• 2.6c: weather data used over time

Revisions to SOL: ElementaryGrade Three

• 3.1e: measurement in both metric and standard English units

• 3.1l: models• 3.1m: use of current applications

Revisions to SOL: ElementaryGrade Four

• 4.1c: metric units only• 4.1d: elapsed time measured• 4.1f: independent and dependent variables, and

constants• 4.1l: models• 4.1m: current applications

• 4.7: introduction to the solar system

Revisions to SOL: ElementaryGrade Five

• 5.1j: models• 5.1k: current applications

• 5.2a: compression waves

• 5.3a: transverse waves• 5.3e: historical contributions to understanding light

removed

• 5.7f: deposition added

Revisions to SOL: Middle SchoolGrade Six

• 6.1i: addition of simulations• 6.1d: manipulated and responding

• 6.4d: electrical forces (bonds)

• 6.5: thermal energy• 6.5e: removal of origin of water on Earth

• 6.8a: dwarf planets

Life Science• Metric units added to the introduction • LS.1b: moved from Grade 6• LS.1c: equipment• LS.1d: simulations

• LS.4 (old): removed this SOL• LS.4: added domains

Revisions to SOL: Middle School

Physical Science• Metric units added to the introduction • PS.1m: models and simulations• PS.6 & 7: thermal energy

• PS.9a: specified as in PS.8a

• PS.10d: focus on applications

Revisions to SOL: Middle School

Revisions to SOL: High SchoolEarth Science

• ES.1c,d: maps, globes, imagery

• ES.3: content moved to .1 or framework

• ES.7a: moved to framework

• ES.11d: climate

Biology• BIO.1i: modeling and simulation• BIO.1k: law

• BIO.2 (old): moved to different SOL

• BIO.3e: surface area to volume ratio

• BIO.4: domains

• BIO.8e: Chesapeake Bay

Revisions to SOL: High School

Chemistry• CH.4: move to other SOL

• CH.6: organic and biochemistry

Revisions to SOL: High School

Physics• Engineering mentioned in introduction

• PH.1: design process

• PH.7 (old): fluids deleted

• PH.11 (old): optics deleted

• PH.10: technological applications

• PH.12: nanotechnology

Revisions to SOL: High School