Science Instructional Materials Selection and Modification: A Landscape Analysis DOWNLOAD PDF (3 MB) High-quality instructional materials are a key part of implementing science standards. However, it is rare for instructional materials to be implemented exactly as intended. Educators modify instructional materials for many reasons, including for individual students, relevance to local phenomena and cultures, and the constraints of their available time and equipment. Understanding how and why educators select and make changes to science instructional materials is critical to supporting classroom implementation of science standards. To learn more about the factors that affect instructional materials selection [...]

Pennsylvania is undergoing a major effort to improve science teaching and learning across the Commonwealth through the introduction of the Science, Technology & Engineering, Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (STEELS) standards.   To support this work, in 2021 NextGenScience at WestEd launched the Pennsylvania Science Education Leaders Network (PennSEL Network), a leadership development program in collaboration with Pennsylvania Department of Education, to prepare teams of Pennsylvania science leaders to improve science teaching and learning for all students as reflected in the new STEELS standards. The PennSEL Network includes representation from all 29 of Pennsylvania’s regional education offices, or Intermediate Units (IUs).  NextGenScience [...]