Colorado Academic Standards Crosswalk Information
Science
An initial draft of a science crosswalk was developed by the CDE science content specialist in consultation with state science educators. A draft was released to state science leaders for feedback which informed this version of the science crosswalk document.
The analysis for the document compared the grade level expectations (GLEs) of the revised academic standards to the benchmarks of the previous content standards. It also compared the revised evidence outcomes (EOs) and nature of science (NOS) statements to objectives in the CSAP assessment frameworks.
One of the most significant changes in the science standards is the move to grade level standards. Because the previous standards were in grade bands and individual districts and schools chose at what grades those standards would be taught, it was not possible to do a statewide analysis of grade level changes and impacts. The column labeled district curriculum notes allows districts to do their own internal analysis of their current curriculum with the revised standards.
Items were color-coded into three categories according to degree of change from the previous standards to the revised version of the standards. Items that are essentially unchanged have been coded green. Items that were present in the previous standards but had a significant change in the revised standards have been coded yellow. Items new to the revised have been coded red. Benchmarks and CSAP assessment framework items that were in the previous standards that are not a part of the revised standards are shown with separate headings at the end of a GLE page or the end of a grade band.
The referent column gives the number and wording from the 2007 content standards or the CSAP assessment framework objective for items that are green and red as a comparison.
An analysis of science GLEs found that over 70% of the content was in the previous standards. Many of the new GLEs come from the addition of preschool to the standards. This analysis shows the streamlining of the standards, having 30% fewer GLEs than previous benchmarks.Thus, there is a large degree of consistency in science content students are expected to know and be able to do with a more focused set of expectations.
An analysis of evidence outcomes and nature of science statements to the CSAP framework objectives shows greater changes than were found at the evidence outcome level. Many of these changes reflect the integration of 21st century and the post-secondary and workforce readiness skills, science inquiry, as well as greater depth of knowledge that was requested of the new standards. Over half of the new additions to the standards include practices that are common in classrooms across Colorado.
Science Crosswalk Audio and Visual Tutorial
Science Crosswalks
Color Coded Crosswalks
Black and White Crosswalks
For Standards Web site technical assistance, please e-mail Anna Huffman at Huffman_a@cde.state.co.us