Education Standards in New York State

New York State has developed learning standards that specify the content, concepts, and skills that students should learn in each subject area. These understandings are tested through the state's Regents examinations. Students must pass specified Regents exams in order to receive a high school diploma in NYS.

Curricula, Learning Standards, and Resource Guides for NYS:

Science

Social science

Examples of NYS Regents Exams

National Science Education Standards

"The National Science Education Standards present a vision of a scientifically literate populace. They outline what students need to know, understand, and be able to do to be scientifically literate at different grade levels. They describe an educational system in which all students demonstrate high levels of performance, in which teachers are empowered to make the decisions essential for effective learning, in which interlocking communities of teachers and students are focused on learning science, and in which supportive educational programs and systems nurture achievement." - National Science Education Standards, National Academy Press, 1996.

The National Science Education Standards are available online. These national standards specify that students should "combine processes and scientific knowledge as they use scientific reasoning and critical thinking to develop their understanding of science." By developing and conducting their own experiments, students will develop a deeper understanding of concepts, develop critical thinking skills, and learn how science is practiced.