California Department of Education
Executive Office
SBE-003 (REV. 09/2011)
ilsb-cfird-nov15item01

ITEM #09

CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
NOVEMBER 2015 AGENDA
SUBJECT
Update of the Science Framework for California Public Schools:
Progress of Development and Revised Timeline.

Action
Information
Public Hearing

SUMMARY OF THE ISSUE(S)

The revised timeline of Science Framework for California Public Schools (Science
Framework) is presented for action and establishes a schedule of events for completion
based upon the approved extension per Senate Bill (SB) 625 (Chapter 148 Section
60200.9), signed on August 7, 2015, which will require the State Board of Education
(SBE) to consider the adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria
for instructional materials in science on or before January 31, 2017.
RECOMMENDATION

The California Department of Education (CDE) recommends that the SBE approve the
revised timeline for the completion of the Science Framework in Attachment 1.
BRIEF HISTORY OF KEY ISSUES

Revising the Science Framework to align with the new science standards is an important
component in the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards for California
Public Schools (CA NGSS) adopted by the SBE in September 2013. The revision of the
Science Framework is a multi-step process involving the Science Curriculum Framework
and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC), the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC),
and SBE.
At its July 2014 meeting, the SBE approved 20 members of the Science CFCC and the
“Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee Guidelines for the 2016
Revision of the Science Framework for California Public Schools.” The CFCC began its
work in September 2014 with a two-day meeting on September 9–10. That was followed
by meetings on October 9–10, 2014, and November 5–6, 2014. Recognizing the
complexity of the task, the CDE, the IQC, the CFCC, and the California Science Project
(the writers of the framework) agreed to reschedule the meetings of the CFCC in order
to gain more time for writing and reviewing the chapters of the framework.
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In 2015, the CFCC met January 22–23, 2015, March 26–27, 2015, and May 20–21,
2015, thereby extending the timeline of CFCC meetings by five months. This allowed
the IQC to review the draft document and prepare the draft document for the first 60-day
field review as required by the California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR 9515).
The proposed timeline will bring it into alignment with the extension provided for in SB
625 (Chapter 148 Section 60200.9), signed on August 7, 2015.
SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DISCUSSION AND ACTION

July 2014: The SBE appointed 20 members of the CFCC and approved guidelines to
direct the work of the CFCC on the development of the new Science Framework.
January 2014: The SBE approved the timeline and Science CFCC application form for
the 2016 revision of the Science Framework. The Science CFCC application was
available online from January 15 through April 18, 2014.
November 2013: The SBE took action on the middle grades learning progressions.
October 2013: Governor Brown signed SB 300, requiring the SBE to consider the
adoption of a revised curriculum framework and evaluation criteria for instructional
materials in science on or before January 31, 2016.
September 2013: Pursuant to SB 300 (2011) and SB 1200 (2012), the SBE adopted
the CA NGSS.
January 2008: The SBE adopted new 5 CCR sections governing the curriculum
framework and instructional materials adoption process.
FISCAL ANALYSIS (AS APPROPRIATE)

The cost to revise the Science Framework is anticipated to be a total of $349,700 over
two budget years, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016. This cost includes the expenses of the
focus groups, the CFCC, and the meetings of the IQC and Science Subject Matter
Committee.
The expenses are also comprised of the costs of a contracted Science Framework
writing team and other costs associated with the procedures mandated in 5 CCR
regulations for the adoption of curriculum frameworks. In addition, the CDE budget will
cover the anticipated $1.54 million in CDE staff costs. Costs to revise the Science
Framework will be paid by State General Fund dollars.
ATTACHMENT(S)

Attachment 1: Revised Schedule of Significant Events for the Update of the
Science Framework (4 Pages)
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Attachment 1
Page 1 of 4

Timeline for Update of the Science Framework for California Public
Schools
Approved by the State Board of Education on January 15, 2014
Recommended Changes for November 4–5, 2015
Proposed additions are italicized; proposed deletions are struck through. The bracketed
comments have been added to conform to CDE Web posting accessibility requirements.
Event
State Board of Education (SBE) Approved CA NGSS, K–12
Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 300 into law
Focus Group recruitment letter and application distributed to
Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), scientists and
stakeholder organizations, and institutes of higher education
Recruitment of Focus Group members, pursuant 5 CCR,
section 9511(c) and Education Code section 44013(a)
SBE action on middle grades learning progressions
Instructional Quality Commission (IQC) Approves Schedule
of Significant Events, Curriculum Framework and Evaluation
Criteria Committee (CFCC) Application
Superintendent appoints Focus Group members
SBE action on a timeline and CFCC application form

Schedule
September 4, 2013
October 2, 2013
October 2013

October–December 2013
November 6–7, 2013
November 21–22, 2013

December 2013
January 15–16, 2014

CFCC recruitment letter and application published/released
online for LEAs, Science stakeholder organizations, and
institutes of higher education

January 2014

Focus Group Meeting Locations, pursuant to 5 CCR, section
9511(c):

January–February 2014

Exploratorium, San Francisco, Saturday, January 25,
2014, 10 a.m.–noon
 San Diego County Office of Education, Thursday,
January 30, 2014, 5–7 p.m.
 Orange County Department of Education, Friday,
January 31, 2014, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Video Conference Included (Los Angeles, Riverside,
Ventura)
 CDE, Sacramento, Tuesday, February 4, 2014,
4–6 p.m.


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 ilsb-cfird-nov15item01
Attachment 1
Page 2 of 4

Event

Schedule

Video Conference Included (Siskiyou, Shasta,
Humboldt)



Fresno County Office of Education, Tuesday, February
11, 2014, 4–6 p.m.

Recruitment of CFCC members (at least 90 days pursuant to
5 CCR, section 9513)

January–April 2014

IQC meets, establishes Science Subject Matter Committee
(Science SMC), reviews Focus Group Report, and
recommends CFCC members and guidance for revision of
the Science Framework to the SBE

May 15–16, 2014

SBE appoints CFCC members, receives Focus Group
Report, and approves guidance for revision of the Science
Framework

July 9–10, 2014

CFCC meets, six 2-day meetings in Sacramento, to develop
draft Science Framework
The CFCC meetings are scheduled for the following dates:









September 9–10, 2014
October 9–10, 2014
November 5–6, 2014
December 11–12, 2014 Rescheduled
January 22–23, 2015
February 26–27, 2015 Rescheduled
March 26–27, 2015
May 20–21, 2015

September 2014–
February May 2015
[The word “February”
was struck through and
proposed for deletion.
The word “May” was
italicized and was an
addition.]

[The word “Rescheduled” after the December 11–12, 2014,
and February 26–27, 2015, dates was italicized and was an
addition. The March 26–27, 2015, and May 20–21, 2015,
dates were italicized and were additions.]
Science SMC reviews draft Science Framework in
preparation for full IQC review

Early April 2015 August
27–28, 2015
[The preceding date,
Early April 2015, was
proposed for deletion.
The new date was
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 ilsb-cfird-nov15item01
Attachment 1
Page 3 of 4

Event

Schedule
August 27–28, 2015.]

IQC approves draft Science Framework for initial 60-day
public review period

May 2015 September
24–25, 2015
[The preceding date,
May 2015, was proposed
for deletion. The new
date was September 24–
25, 2015.]

First 60-day public review period prior to IQC
recommendation to SBE, pursuant to 5 CCR, section 9515(a)
(3)

June–July 2015
November 17, 2015 –
January 19, 2016
[The preceding date,
June–July 2015, has
been proposed for
deletion. The new
proposed date is
November 17, 2015 –
January 19, 2016.]

Science SMC analyzes public review results and staff
recommendations for edits to draft Science Framework

August 2015 February &
March 2016
[The preceding date,
August 2015, has been
proposed for deletion.
The new proposed date
is February & March
2016.]

IQC recommends draft Science Framework to the SBE.

September 2015 May
19–20, 2016
[The preceding date,
September 2015, has
been proposed for
deletion. The new
proposed date is May
19–20, 2016.]

Second 60-day public review and comment on IQC’s
recommended Science Framework section 95159(c)

October–November 2015
June–July 2016
[The preceding date,
October–November
2015, has been
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Attachment 1
Page 4 of 4

Event

Schedule
proposed for deletion.
The new proposed date
is June–July 2016.]

SBE action on IQC’s recommended Science Framework,
includes public hearing

January 31, 2016,
Statutory Deadline
Per SB 300
September/November
2016
[The statement, “January
31, 2016, Statutory
Deadline Per SB 300”
has been proposed for
deletion. The new
proposed date is
September/November
2016.]

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