Summary
With adoption of the NGSS and Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM), Washington's science and math teachers now face rigorous standards calling for high-impact pedagogies that likely were not modeled in their own educational experiences. To address challenges in STEM teacher preparation Washington State faces, this program aims create a common vision that aligns teacher preparation programs with new state math and science teacher competencies that reflect the NGSS and CCSSM as well as address the expansion of Computer Science classes across the state. In addition, it strives to share best practices that build greater coherence and collaboration across teacher preparation programs and to incorporate smaller programs, which often lack the capacity, personnel, and resources required to respond to national and state initiatives and maintain active partnerships with stakeholders (e.g., other teacher education programs, state regulators, local school districts, NGOs, STEM professionals, etc.). The program strengthens teacher preparation programs across the state by encouraging collaboration over competition, and engaging stakeholders.Learn more about
NextGen-WA »
About the Program
A consortium of Washington State institutes of higher education (IHEs) in partnership with Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and other key stakeholders proposed a pathway to improving science learning and Earth literacy for all Washington State students by creating a shared vision of STEM teacher preparation in Washington State aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and utilizing InTeGrate guiding principles and strategies.