Science and Technology Literacy Standards

Following up on the earlier posting and discussion on scientific and technological literacy, here are two sets of standards developed for K-12 education in the United States.

Technological Literacy Standards

The International Technology Education Association (ITEA) has published two books (online) and a set of ten videos on one compact disk (CD) explaining technology literacy standards. "Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology, commonly called STL, and Advancing Excellence in Technological Literacy: Student Assessment, Professional Development, and Program Standards, commonly called AETL, are companion publications that together articulate* a complete set of technological literacy standards* and identify a vision* for developing a technologically literate citizenry." The first of these books was published in 2000 and the second in 2003.

National Science Education Standards

The National Science Education Standards, prepared by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, outline what students need to know, understand, and be able to do to be scientifically literate at different grade levels. There are six major substantive chapters: * Standards for science teaching. * Standards for professional development for teachers of science. * Standards for assessment in science education. * Standards for science content. * Standards for science education programs. * Standards for science education systems. Published in 1996, these have been of substantial importance in the U.S. educational system, and have served as a model for science education standards in other nations. National Academy Press.