The NGSS have undergone numerous evolutions since their inception. Among the most powerful (and most recent) are the addition of evidence statements. The three dimensions—disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting connections—already provide context for how students can demonstrate knowledge and how the performance expectation can be applied. The new evidence statements take this process a step further.
In an effort to describe more specifically what you would see in proficient student performance of the NGSS PEs, scientists and educators together developed Evidence Statements for every PE in every grade level. The evidence statements are intended to provide clear, measurable components that, if met, fully satisfy each PE described within the NGSS. (Next Generation Science Standards, 2015)
Evidence statements thus provide granularity to how students can demonstrate knowledge and application of the PE through evidence of learning.
It is important to note that the evidence statements do not represent the limit of a student’s learning, but rather minimum proficiency of the performance expectation. Simila
NGSS Evidence Statements Bring Clarity to the NGSS
NGSS Evidence Statements provide answers to many of the questions that you have about the NGSS. Learn more in this post.
What are the NGSS Evidence Statements?
Before I found the Evidence Statements, I was pretty confused about the NGSS. But they provide clarity in many ways and cut down on the NGSS confusion.
NGSS Evidence Statements are tools that break down performance expectations. In fact, there is an Evidence Statement for each Performance Expectation.
These statements breakdown everything that a student will need to know and be able to do in order to meet the performance expectation. They include information about each of the three dimensions of the NGSS.
What can NGSS evidence statements be used for?
Evidence statements are great for getting information about exactly what you need to be teaching in your classroom. In fact, I use them to create my objectives in my classroom.
How to use Evidence Statements to Create Objectives – Step by Step
I love using evidence statements to write my objectives for my NGSS aligned classroom. This is one of the first steps in my unit planning process.
I don’t po
The evidence statements provide detail on what students should know and be able to do in order to satisfy each performance expectation (PE) at the end of instruction. Given that each PE is three-dimensional, the statements describe how students can use the practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas together to demonstrate proficiency on the PEs by the end of instruction.
They are intended to identify clear, measurable components that, if met, fully satisfy each PE described within the NGSS. They are not meant to limit or dictate instruction and were written to allow for multiple methods and contexts of assessment, including assessing multiple related PEs together at the same time.
The evidence statements were developed by educators and scientists, including many members of the NGSS writing team. For more information, see the overview.
Click on the following links for the elementary school (grades K-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) evidence statements.
How can I use the Evidence Statements to develop NGSS-aligned lessons?
Have you ever wondered, “What the heck am I supposed to teach!?” I’ve totally been there. The NGSS is simply Rigid TO UNDERSTAND. They’re kind of vague… and that’s also caring of the point. They outline what students should do to demonstrate their understanding of some BIG ideas in science… but they don’t give you a whole lot on the details of what constitutes “demonstrating the understanding of that big idea.”
In actuality, the creators of the NGSS gave you a tiny more help than what’s there on the surface, though! They created the Evidence Statements. These statements break down what students have to be able to know and do for the assessment. The Evidence Statements typically provide some examples of content students may refer to, as well.
Anytime I am active on a unit, my FIRST stop is the Evidence Statements for the standards I’m trying to address. Working from there, I can figure out what my content (my examples, data, phenomena) needs to look enjoy in order for students to carry out the Performance Expectation.
Breaking down the Evidence Statements can sometimes be tricky, especially if yo
How to Read the NGSS – A 10 Minute Guide
I have been getting A LOT of questions from teachers who are new to NGSS. Like – How to Read the NGSS. Don’t panic! Even reading the next generation science standards can be a challenge.
How do I read the NGSS?
Check out this 10-minute guide to reading the Next Generation Science Standards. In this video, I discuss
the 3-D model which includes Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts.
how to find the standards articulation with other grade levels and across disciplines
performance expectations and evidence statements.
What should I do after I learn how to read the NGSS?
Get more information about the three dimensions of the NGSS.
After you have figured out how to read the NGSS, it’s best to take a look at each dimension. I wrote a blog post on 3-dimensional learning to help explain the complex nature of the standards even more. If you want to learn more about the SEPs and CCCs, check out these blog posts.
The resources provide more in-depth information about the Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts