| DATE: | August 10, 2018 |
|---|---|
| TO: | Division Superintendents |
| FROM: | James F. Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| SUBJECT: | Science Content Guidelines Released |
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is pleased to announce the release of the 2018 Science Content Guidelines for the following Board of Education (BOE) Approved Courses to Satisfy Graduation Requirements for the Standard, Advanced Studies, and Modified Standard Diplomas in Virginia Public Schools. Content guidelines have been constructed for the following science disciplines:
- Environmental Science
- Biology II: Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology II: Ecology
- Earth Science II: Astronomy
The intent of the content guidelines is to inform instruction and to ensure that the science content is taught equitably across the Commonwealth. These courses will not be tested with a Standards of Learning statewide assessment; instead, these guidelines can be used to inform classroom instruction and assessment to include the use of performance assessments. Feedback on the content guidelines is appreciated and will guide development of potential future Virginia Standards of Learning for these courses.
These guidelines are available on the VDOE Standards of Learning and Testing webpage. Content guidelines are also under construction for the Biology II: Genetics, Earth Science II: Geology, and Earth Science II: Oceanography courses. Students are expected to have the first- year science course prior to taking any second-level course within a science discipline.
For more information about the Science Content Guidelines or any other BOE-approved science courses, please contact Anne Petersen, Science Coordinator, Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, by email at anne.petersen@doe.virginia.gov: Email link. or by telephone at (804) 225-2676.
JFL/AMP/pf
Attachments:
- Virginia Science Content Guidelines: Astronomy-This is a Word document.
- Science Outcomes: Ecology-This is a Word document.