Learn about Achieve

Achieve was formed in 1996 as an independent, bi-partisan, non-profit education reform organization.  It was ranked as one of the most influential education policy organizations in the nation by Education Week in 2006. They managed the American Diploma Project (ADP) Network, the PARCC consortium, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) development effort. Michigan is a member of the ADP Network and a lead partner state in the NGSS effort. Achieve's agenda focuses on college readiness, common core standard achievement, P-20 data systems and accountability.

Trends in International Mathematics & Science Study (TIMSS) 2011

"TIMSS is used to compare over time the mathematics and science knowledge and skills of fourth- and eighth-graders. TIMSS is designed to align broadly with mathematics and science curricula in the participating countries. The results, therefore, suggest the degree to which students have learned mathematics and science concepts and skills likely to have been taught in school. In 2011, there were 54 countries and 20 other educational systems that participated in TIMSS, at the fourth- or eighth-grade level, or both.

The results show improvement at grade 4 in reading since 2006, when PIRLS was last administered, and in mathematics since 2007, when TIMSS was last administered. Eighth-graders’ average scores held steady in both mathematics and science since the last TIMSS administration in 2007, as did fourth-graders’ average scores in science." IES Newsflash & NCES Statement on PIRLS 2011 and TIMSS 2011

The State of State Science Standards 2012

From the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the State of State Science Standards 2012 is an analysis and comparison of science standards State-by-State. Michigan gets ranked solidly in the middle with a grade of C (an improvement over its 2005 grade of D). California, Indiana, Virginia, South Carolina and Massachusetts lead the states in the A range, although all the foregoing states excluding California have been downgraded from their 2005 Grade of A to A-.

2011 Math & Reading Assessments: Nation's Report Card

Visit The Nation's Report Card to see recently released Mathematics and Reading assessment results.

A Framework for K-12 Science Education

National Academies Press new publication, A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, outlines expectations for students in science and engineering in K-12, and the revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessemnt and professional development for educators that needs to occur to meet these expectations.

World Journal of Education available in Academic OneFile

World Journal of Education was recently added in full-text to the Academic OneFile database. Sciedu Press, which produces this new journal, is a division of the Canadian Center of Science and Education.

Google Science Fair opens January 11

The inaurual Google Science Fair will be launched January 11, 2011. Google has partnered with NASA, CERN, National Geographic, Scientific American and the LEGO Group to create a new open, accessible and global STEM competition. The Google Science Fair is a global competition that any student aged 13 - 18 from around the world is eligible to enter. Students can enter as individuals or as teams of up to three.

To sign up for fun and free resource kits for your classroom or school (with bookmarks, stickers, posters and more!) and a reminder notification when GSF registration opens, please visit the Google Science Fair at: http://www.google.com/sciencefair