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Science

Science Framework

Science

What We Want
Vision: The Ritenour School District together with families and community will empower students to function as independent thinkers who question, reason, apply and explore in a global society.
Mission: The Ritenour School District is committed to providing all students with a rigorous 21st century curriculum that promotes engaging scientific thinking through active participation and inquiry-based learning that is relevant to real-world situations.

What We Know
In the area of science curriculum, science leaders must

  • Develop and align curriculum, assessment, and instruction with national and state standards while meeting local needs.
  • Ensure the development and/or selection of science curriculum that is pedagogically appropriate and encompasses strategies for building conceptual understanding.
  • Ensure the development and/or selection of standards-based science curriculum that infuses inquiry, promotes scientific concepts and processes, and integrates content to ensure understanding in Earth and space sciences, biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Collaborate with post-secondary educators to ensure quality content in the PreK–12 curriculum.

In the area of assessment, science leaders must

  • Implement assessment methods aligned with desired student outcomes.
  • Ensure the use of a variety of qualitative and quantitative assessments for school improvement, instructional improvement, and enhanced student learning.
  • Provide support for the development and use of assessments that address the needs of diverse learners and that support understanding of science content and processes.
  • Promote teacher use of assessment data to inform instructional practice. (NSTA Position Statement)

What We Believe
About teaching Science

  • Students come to us with misconceptions
  • Students need to see science in action
  • Students must be active in the inquiry process
  • Students must have opportunities for self-discovery
  • Instruction must be based on essential questions
  • We must have integration of science across the curriculum
  • Teachers must have training in science instruction.
  • Teachers need to be more aware of the resources already available, including outreach programs already in existence