BENCHMARKS FOR SCIENTIFIC LITERACY

What are benchmarks?

Benchmarks specifies how students should progress toward scientific literacy, recommending what all students should know and be able to do by the time they reach certain grade levels.

Benchmarks was prepared as a tool to be used, along with SFAA, by everyone engaged in state or local efforts to transform learning in science, mathematics, and technology.

THE BENCHMARKS

1. The Nature of Science
2. The Nature of Mathematics
3. The Nature of Technology
4. The Physical Setting
5. The Living Environment
6. The Human Organism
7. Human Society
8. The Designed World
9. The Mathematical World
10. Historical Perspectives
11. Common Themes
12. Habits of Mind

BACKGROUND

13. The Origins of Benchmark
14. Issues and Language
15. The Research Base
16. Beyond Benchmarks

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BENCHMARKS

• Benchmarks is a report from a cross-section of practicing educators.
• Benchmarks is different from a curriculum, a curriculum framework, a curriculum design, or a plan for a curriculum.
• Benchmarks is a compendium of specific science literacy goals that can be organized however one chooses.
• Benchmarks specifies thresholds rather than average or advanced performance.
• Benchmarks concentrates on the common core of learning that contributes to the science literacy of all students.
• Benchmarks avoids technical language used for its own sake.
• Benchmarks sheds only partial light on how to achieve the goals it recommends.
• Benchmarks is informed by research.
• Benchmarks is a developing product.
• Benchmarks is but one of a family of tools being designed by Project 2061.
• Benchmarks is a companion for SFAA, not a substitute.

More information can be found at:

http://www.project2061.org/tools/benchol/bchin.htm

http://www.project2061.org/tools/benchol/bolintro.html

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