DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of the Secretary

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Section 122(b) (14 Del.C. §122(b))

14 DE Admin. Code 501

PROPOSED

501 State Content Standards

Education Impact Analysis Pursuant To 14 Del.C. Section 122(d)

A. Type of Regulatory Action Required

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of the Regulation

The Secretary of Education seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 501 State Content Standards to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the content standards for science. The NGSS were developed in partnership with 26 states, including Delaware. The timeline for full implementation, including aligned curriculum and assessments, will be developed by the Department. The Department recognizes the need to update the science standards, but is also cognizant of the processes and work needed to ensure the professional development, alignment of curriculum and assessments are done in a structured manner.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before September 5, 2013 to Susan Haberstroh, Department of Education, at 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901. A copy of this regulation is available from the above address or may be viewed at the Department of Education business office.

C. Impact Criteria

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amendment adopts the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the science standards. These updated standards were developed in partnership with 25 other states. The curriculum, assessments and professional development related to this adoption should result in improved student achievements as measured against these new standards.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amendment adopts the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the science standards, and does not specifically address that all students receive an equitable education. The adoption is for the entire public education system resulting in the expectation that all students will receive an equitable education related to this amendment.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ health and safety are adequately protected? The amendment adopts the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the science standards, and does not does not change any requirements around health and safety of students.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students’ legal rights are respected? The amendment adopts the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the science standards, and does not change any requirements related to students’ legal rights.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision making at the local board and school level? The amendment adopts the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) as the science standards and does not change the authority and flexibility at the local board and school levels.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amendment does not place any unnecessary reporting and administrative requirements on decision makers. The change in science standards does change what will be required to be taught and assessed.

7. Will the decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The amendment does not change the entity responsible for the decision making and accountability.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amended regulation is consistent with other state educational policies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the regulation.

10. What is the cost to the State and to the local school boards of compliance with the regulation? There will be costs to the state and local school boards for compliance; however, the anticipated implementation timeline will be designed to mitigate any costs.

501 State Content Standards

1.0 Instructional Programs

1.1 Instructional programs offered in the public schools of Delaware shall be in alignment with the appropriate content standards documents. These documents are: English Language Arts Curriculum Framework, Mathematics Curriculum Framework, Science Curriculum Framework, Social Studies Curriculum Framework, Health Education Curriculum Framework and Assessment, Physical Education Content Standards, Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards, Agriscience Curriculum Framework Content Standards, Business Finance and Marketing Education Curriculum Framework Content Standards, World Language Curriculum Framework Content Standards, Technology Education Curriculum Framework Content Standards, Skilled and Technical Sciences Content Standards and the Family and Consumer Sciences Content Standards.

1.1.1 The content standards documents may from time to time hereafter be amended with the approval of the Secretary and the State Board of Education.

1.1.1.1 Effective with the 2010-2011 school year, Delaware Content Standards in English language arts and mathematics shall be comprised of the Common Core Standards developed in partnership with the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers.

1.1.1.2 Effective with the 2013-2014 school year, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) developed in partnership with twenty-six (26) states, including Delaware, shall be adopted as the Delaware Content Standards in science. For purposes of this subsection, “adopted” shall mean to accept a set of standards as the basis for curriculum and assessment alignment across the state according to a timeline established and disseminated by the Department of Education.

1.1.2 Integration of the content standards shall be provided for within and across the curricula.

1.1.3 Instructional materials and curricula content shall be kept current and consistent with provisions of 14 DE Admin. Code 502 Alignment of Local School District Curricula to the State Content Standards and 14 DE Admin. Code 503 Instructional Program Requirements.

1 DE Reg. 153 (8/1/97)

1 DE Reg. 729 (12/1/97)

4 DE Reg. 343 (8/1/00)

4 DE Reg. 850 (10/1/00)

4 DE Reg. 853 (11/1/00)

5 DE Reg. 865 (10/1/01)

8 DE Reg. 445 (9/1/04)

13 DE Reg. 256 (8/1/09)

14 DE Reg. 167 (09/01/10)

17 DE Reg. (08/01/13)(Prop.)