NGSS for California Public Schools, K-12

In 2013, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve.

NGSS Standards

On September 4, 2013, the SBE adopted the Next Generation Science Standards for California Public Schools, Kindergarten through Grade Twelve (CA NGSS) as required by California Education Code 60605.85. The NGSS Appendices A-M were also adopted to assist teachers in the implementation of the new science standards and to aid in the development of the new science curriculum framework.

The SBE-adopted California Next Generation Science Standards (CA NGSS) can be viewed below by grade level Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI): Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physical Sciences or by grade level Topic (e.g., Chemical Reactions, Structure and Function, or Space Systems).

How to Read the Pre-publication Version of the CA NGSS (DOC)

For information on how to read the standards and implement the standards, please consult the 2016 Science Framework. For questions about the CA NGSS and 2016 Science Framework, contact the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division (CFIRD) at CFIRD@cde.ca.gov or 916-319-0453.

Kindergarten through Grade Five Standards

Standards Arranged by Disciplinary Core Ideas (Life, Earth and Space, and Physical Science)

Kindergarten by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DOC)
Grade 1 by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DOC)
Grade 2 by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DOC)
Grade 3 by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DOC)
Grade 4 by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DOC)
Grade 5 by Disciplinary Core Ideas (DOC)

Standards Arranged by Topic

(e.g., Chemical Reactions, Structure and Function, or Space Systems)

Grades Six through Eight Standards

On November 6, 2013, the SBE approved the Science Expert Panel’s (SEP) recommended Integrated Learning Progression model as the preferred model for middle grades six through eight. At the same November meeting, the SBE approved a recommendation by the SSPI to reconvene the SEP in order “to develop … as an alternative model … a discipline specific model” for the grade span of six through eight based on Achieve’s domains model in Appendix K.

In December 2013, the SEP reconvened to develop an alternative domain specific course model.

The documents below provide middle school educators the rationale for the CA NGSS Integrated Learning Progression Course for middle grades six through eight and the Alternative Discipline Specific Course for grades six through eight. The documents also describe learning progressions for each grade level.

Integrated Learning Progression Model (DOC)
This document provides middle school educators the rationale for the Integrated Learning Progression Course arrangement of standards developed by the California Science Expert Panel. Documents containing the standards for each grade level are below.

Discipline Specific Model (DOC)
This document provides middle school educators the rationale for the Discipline Specific Course arrangement. Documents containing the standards for each grade level are below.