By NGSS Committee members:  Heather Wygant, Santa Cruz COE Science Coordinator & CASE Region 2 Director; Gini Vandergon  Professor of Biology California State University, Northridge and Director of the San Fernando Valley Science Project (SFVSP); Arlene Laurison, Elk Grove Unified School District, Sheldon High School Science Teacher

If you haven’t yet heard, the CAST assessment data is now on the California Dashboard, and no surprise, the same achievement gaps show up in science as they do in Math and English Language Arts (ELA). 

As you can see, this year the baseball card has no color but will be in full color and count towards district accountability determinations in the fall of 2025. The assessment results will be shown as distance from standard, as are math and ELA, with a minimum participation rate of 95%. What can we do to start to make the shift towards more students reaching standard levels? 

One way the CASE NGSS committee (and partners at CSUN and LACOE) are approaching this is through a series of short information meetings that focus on what CAST is, resources for student access and ways to approach assessment in science classrooms to support quality student learning. This series was offered in September and October as a three-part CAST Academy Webinar. This became a precursor to a short course offered at the recent CASE conference. The NGSS committee and CSUN faculty collaborated once again to deliver a follow-up, sold-out short course focused on equipping teachers and administrators with strategies to support student success on the CAST. The course delved into reviewing CAST details on the dashboard, emphasized preparing students through 3D instruction and learning (while avoiding teaching to the test), and offered hands-on practice in developing and adapting 3D formative assessments. This comprehensive approach reinforced the importance of integrating disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts to enhance student understanding and readiness for CAST.

In January 2025, we’re bringing back a revised CAST Academy—a four-part series that blends content from the previous series with short-course materials. Sessions will take place on January 16, February 23, January 30, and February 6.

Take action today to ensure the future of science education in your district! Advocate for the inclusion of K-12 3D Science instruction and learning in your Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP). By doing so, you’re not only aligning with NGSS principles but also equipping students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Let’s work together to make 3D Science a cornerstone of every classroom—because investing in science education is investing in our students’ success.

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