Statement of Competencies in the Natural Sciences Expected of Entering Freshmen

Spring
2016
Topic
Intersegmental Issues
Committee
ICAS Representatives

In 2013, California adopted revised standards for education in the natural sciences based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These new standards were designed to move away from an exhaustive list of content toward a greater focus on outcomes that would indicate a deeper understanding of underlying scientific phenomena. This Statement of Competencies in the Natural Sciences Expected of Entering Freshmen is intended to update the 1988 Statement on Natural Science Expected of Entering Freshmen in order to reflect this shift in science education in California. The Intersegmental Committee of Academic Senates (ICAS) appointed faculty from the California Community Colleges, California State University, and the University of California to a task force charged with updating the previous statement to reflect current practices in science education.