5 things to know about quality K–12 science education in August 2025
1 Teachers’ Use of Instructional Materials From 2019–2024
AnewRANDCorporationresearchreport offerskeyinsightsabouthowscience curriculummaterialsareactuallybeing usedinK-12classrooms.The comprehensivestudytrackstrendsfrom sixyearsofnationalsurveydataacrossall subjectareas,revealingboth opportunitiesandchallengesin curriculumimplementation.Thereport offersevidence-basedinsightsfor creatingmorecoherentinstructional systemsandhighlightsgapsthatexistin sciencecurriculumuserelativeto mathematicsandEnglishlanguagearts.
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Lessons From Taholah Youth to Support a Flourishing and Just World
STEM Teaching Tool #103,authoredby threehighschoolstudentsfromTaholah, WA,sharestheideas,knowledge,and concernsofNativeyouthrelatedtoour environment.Authorsshare considerationsforlearningaboutthe environmentandhowwecanhelpit flourish,includingengaginginNative STEMlearningregardingland management,fisheriesandhatcheries, wildfires,andlandslides.Thetoolincludes recommendationsforlocalaction.
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3 Key Takeaways about Localizing Curriculum
InFebruary2025,theLawrenceHallofScienceconvenededucators,researchers,and curriculumdeveloperstosharebestpracticesandchallengeswith localizinginstructional materials.Theirrecentlyreleasedconferencesummaryhighlightedseveralthemesfrom theconference,including: localization extends beyond geography; teachers shouldn't bear sole responsibility; system-wide support is essential; more research on benefits and quality examples is needed; equity considerations must guide implementation; and localization efforts may conflict with high-quality instructional design.
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