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CSLNET NEWSBLAST Sept 2013
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"One of the things that I've been focused on as President is how we create an all-hands-on-deck approach to science, technology, engineering, and math...We need to make this a priority to train an army of new teachers in these subject areas, and to make sure that all of us as a country are lifting up these subjects for the respect that they deserve."
- President Obama, Third Annual White House Science Fair, April 2013
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CEO COLUMN
 Dear Friends,
WE DID IT! With an overwhelming show of support from stakeholders across California, the State Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) at its September 4th meeting, making California the sixth and largest state to adopt these new internationally benchmarked college and career ready standards. Thanks for your support in making this a reality.
Together with California's new financial support for Common Core State Standards implementation, the state has taken a giant step toward becoming a national leader in realizing a comprehensive vision of STEM education -- integrated, applied, relevant and project-based learning experiences that can enable our students to be prepared for the expectations of college, career and their daily lives.
Now begins the hard work of making good on this pledge to California's more than six million students. With the adoption of NGSS comes the opportunity to re-envision a science education for the 21st century that meets the needs of our economy and takes full advantage of the dynamic array of resources and materials available through digital learning platforms and open source materials from around the world to inspire students, as well as teachers. The NGSS also holds the promise of leveraging the best thinking nationally through new cross-state collaborations.
The work of implementing the NGSS will not be trivial, however. New curriculum, instructional resources, assessments, and professional development models for educators will need to be created, just to start. As reported below, the State Board will make another important decision regarding NGSS at its next meeting in November - which model for learning they should adopt for the critical middle school grade span when so many students lose interest in science and STEM. The California Department of Education has proposed a model that features integrated thematic learning progressions for Grades 6-8, which has generated much discussion.
There are many other challenges that we will need to address over the coming years. Ultimately, the success of NGSS will depend upon a concerted multi-year collaboration that marshals all of our state's vast resources and creative energies to bring these exciting new standards to life for students. This collaboration must include higher education, business and industry, private funders and NGOs working in partnership with Superintendent Torlakson, the California Department of Education, school districts and local boards of education to ensure that the state and districts develop a strong implementation plan and secure the resources necessary to implement these new standards.
While we should celebrate this important accomplishment, we cannot rest on our laurels. The time for action is now.
Yours in STEM,
Chris Roe
Chief Executive Officer
California STEM Learning Network
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State Policy
STEM Task Force Report to be Released on October 4, 2013
The Select Committee on Increasing the Integration of STEM in Education in K-14 Schools, chaired by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, will hold its inaugural hearing on Friday, October 4, 2013 in Walnut Creek. The meeting will feature the unveiling of the California STEM Task Force Report, a comprehensive set of recommendations to improve STEM education in California's public K-12 school system. Superintendent Tom Torlakson will present the report findings along with Phil Lafontaine from CDE. CSLNet CEO, Chris Roe, will be a panelist along with Alexander Zwissler of the Chabot Space and Science Center and co-chair of the Gateways East Bay STEM Network and Superintendent Chris Steinhauser from Long Beach USD. The public is welcome to attend. For details and to RSVP, click here.
STEM Legislation Awaits Action by the Governor
Two bills supported by CSLNet were passed by the state legislature and await final action by Governor Brown. SB 300 (Hancock - D) requires the State Board of Education to consider adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional materials based on the NGSS by January 31, 2016. AB 250 (Holden - D) expands the criteria for designation as a California Innovation Hub (iHub) and could increase eligibility of STEM networks.
Already signed into law, SB 5 (Padilla - D) authorizes expansion of teacher preparation programs from one to two years which creates opportunity for more rigorous preparation in STEM for California teachers.
For a full list of bills that CSLNet is supporting and monitoring, click here.
Major Changes Coming to State Accountability Testing This Year
Amid controversy, AB 484 (Bonilla - D) passed out of the legislature and is awaiting signature by Governor Brown. The bill phases out STAR testing this year and suspends API reporting for 2013-14 and 2014-15. In their place, school districts will be encouraged to participate in the field test of the new Common Core-aligned assessments for ELA and Math developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC). For the 2013-14 school year, science assessments in grades 5, 8, and 10 will continue to be required along with the Early Assessment Program (EAP) for grade 11. The bill also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to recommend a plan as soon as feasible for assessment of the NGSS. The bill's passage would mean that California could be determined to be out of compliance with federal testing requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has indicated that California could be penalized if the Governor signs the bill.
For a list of CSLNet Policy Priorities, click here.
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CSLNET UPDATE
CSLNet Regional Leaders Convene in Los Angeles
CSLNet and the LA Regional STEM Hub hosted a meeting for Regional Network leaders on August 22 in Los Angeles, CA. Approximately 30 attendees participated. Highlights included presentations by the LA Regional STEM Hub and Joan Bissell, Director of Teacher Education and Public School Programs for California State University. CCSTEM Hosts A New Series of Science EventsCSLNet partner, the Central Coast STEM Collaborative (CCSTEM), received a promotional grant from the City of San Luis Obispo to host a series of events called Science After Dark. The events will provide opportunities to learn about science in a friendly and informal setting. The inaugural event will take place on October 9th in San Luis Obispo and will feature a presentation on "The Chemistry of Human Genetic Identification" by Poncho Meisenheimer, Director of Chemistry Research at Promego Bioscience. Click here for details about the event.
Torlakson Addresses STEM Roundtable in La Jolla
 On August 22, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, led a STEM Curriculum roundtable in La Jolla. He spoke about the importance of STEM education and the role these subjects play in the economy. Business leaders and educators took part in the discussion. CSLNet regional partner, the San Diego STEM Collaboratory, was among the key planning collaborators for this event.
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STEM IN THE NEWS
Discover 11 Hot College Majors That Lead to Jobs
From robotics to sustainability, STEM majors are among the hottest for career-seeking college students. Click here to read the U.S. News article.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITYNSTA New Science Teacher Academy  Applications for the 2014-2015 New Science Teacher Academy will be available this November. The program, co-founded by the Amgen Foundation, was created to help promote quality science teaching, enhance teacher confidence and classroom excellence, and improve teacher content knowledge. Click here to learn more and to see if you are eligible to apply.
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FEATURED RESOURCES
NGSS Online Short Course
Registration recently opened for the NSTA online short course, Moving Toward NGSS: Visualizing K-6 Engineering Education. Through synchronous web seminars and discussions, K-6 educators will begin to build a foundation for integrating engineering practices into their instruction. Click here for more information and to register.
Two Books Explain Common Core
 The publishing arm of the California Department of Education is now offering print versions of two books to clearly explain the importance of California's transition to the Common Core. Previously, the documents were only available online. Click here for details on how to order them.
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HAVE STEM NEWS OR AN EVENT TO SHARE?
To submit content for CSLNet's News Blast, please email administrator@cslnet.org.
Main Office
One Embarcadero Center, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94111
415.315.1726
Ventura Office
701 E. Santa Clara Street #50
Ventura, CA 93001
805.665.6318
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NGSS & CCSS UPDATE
California Adopts Next Generation Science Standards
The Board deferred to its November 13-14, 2013, meeting a decision on adopting the proposed learning progressions model for middle grades 6-8. Click here to view an informative presentation on the rationale for the proposed learning progressions. Achieve, Inc., the managing partner in the development of the NGSS, has endorsed California's middle grades proposal which is now included in the NGSS Appendix K: Model Course Mapping in Middle and High School. In advance of the November meeting, CSLNet urges all partners to review the middle grades proposal and submit comments to the SBE at SBE@cde.ca.gov.
Following CSLNet's efforts to encourage adoption of NGSS, the next phase of our work will focus on assisting the California Department of Education (CDE) and partners across the state in developing robust implementation plans, including support for the significant professional development and other resources that will be needed to transition to the new standards.
Review Proposed CCSS Math Framework
Smarter Balanced Webinar
On October 10, Deborah Sigman, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction in the District, School, & Innovation Branch of the CDE, will present a webinar that will provide information about the Smarter Balanced assessments, including double testing flexibility, practice tests, sample English language arts items, the Digital Library, and assessment for literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects, as well as other program and technology updates. To register, please visit the SchoolsMovingUp web page.
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What's Happening!
EverFi and Neustar Team Up to Bring STEM Skills to California Schools
 Building on the growth of the initial phase of digital citizenship program My Digital Life, Neustar and EverFi are teaming up to offer California students online lessons in coding, computer science, and technology-based math -- and to provide them with motivation to pursue careers in STEM.
This expanded platform is available to California schools free of charge, thanks to a sponsorship from Neustar, a leading information services and data analytics company with offices throughout California.
Last year, over 100 California schools hosted My Digital Life. Thousands of middle school students learned vital lessons in online awareness and responsibility through the online course.
For more information on My Digital Life, contact Mike Fee at mike@everfi.com.
US2020 City Competition
 The US2020 City Competition will capitalize on the role of cities as centers for innovation, supporting outstanding efforts to build STEM mentoring capacity at the local level. Three to five cities from across the country will share over $1 million in resources from US2020, based on their plans to significantly increase STEM mentoring for girls, low-income youth, and students of color. Click here to learn more and to see if you are qualified to submit a proposal.
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STEM VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Science Rap B.A.T.T.L.E.S. Bring Hip Hop to the Classroom
The video above recaps Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S., a competition where students researched and wrote rhymes about science that were judged by a panel that included Wu-Tang Clan's GZA. The program is part of a national push to boost science education among minorities.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
2nd Annual Silicon Valley STEM Summit
On October 15, Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) is hosting the second annual Silicon Valley STEM Summit. The focus is on integrated STEM, emphasizing the need to apply a real-world context that shows the interconnections between disciplines. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will be the keynote speaker. Click here to register.
On October 25-27, join science educators in Palm Springs for the largest annual professional development conference in the state hosted by the California Science Teachers Association. Participants will enjoy three days of quality programming, networking, and up-to-date information to stay abreast of latest trends in science education. Click here for more information.
California Mathematics Council South (CMC-S) 54th Annual Mathematics Conference
On November 1-2, the Palm Springs CMC-S Annual Mathematics Conference will engage PK-16 educators of mathematics across the country in two days of enriching, engaging professional learning. This year's theme is Common Core mathematics. Click here for more information.
Pioneers & Purpose
On November 6, join leaders at Pioneers & Purpose, the signature event of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) that has raised over $5 million for public school programs. This year, the event will honor Mike McNamara of Flextronics International as the 2013 Pioneer Business Leader. Click here for more information and to register.
California STEM Conference 2013
STEM stakeholders and education leaders are invited November 18-19 to the 1st Annual California STEM Conference hosted by the California Department of Education in Sacramento. Conference highlights will include keynote speakers, workshops and presentations centered around the theme "Invest in California STEM Education: Innovate, Integrate, and Inspire". Click here for more information.
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CSLNet's vision is that all students in California have the knowledge and skills needed for success in education, work and their daily lives.
CSLNet's mission is help California prepare the nation's most STEM-capable graduates by coordinating and activating a multi-sector statewide network representing all STEM stakeholders.
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