Connections to the CCSS for Literacy and Math in Science and Technical Subjects

Teachers in most states are looking for ways to address the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), which focus on English Language Arts and Mathematics.  There is also an effort to address the importance of literacy skills in technical areas, such as science.  The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) include an appendix on Connections to the Common Core State Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects, as well as an appendix on Connections to the CCSS for Math.

The introduction states:  "Literacy skills are critical to building knowledge in science. To ensure the CCSS literacy standards work in tandem with the specific content demands outlined in the NGSS, the NGSS development team worked with the CCSS writing team to identify key literacy connections to the specific content demands outlined in the NGSS. As the CCSS affirms, reading in science requires an appreciation of the norms and conventions of the discipline of science, including understanding the nature of evidence used, an attention to precision and detail, and the capacity to make and assess intricate arguments, synthesize complex information, and follow detailed procedures and accounts of events and concepts. Students also need to be able to gain knowledge from elaborate diagrams and data that convey information and illustrate scientific concepts. Likewise, writing and presenting information orally are key means for students to assert and defend claims in science, demonstrate what they know about a concept, and convey what they have experienced, imagined, thought, and learned."