Philosophy

The terms and circumstances of human existence can be expected to change radically during the next human life span. Science, mathematics, and technology will be at the center of that change--causing it, shaping it, responding to it. Therefore, they will be essential to the education of today's children for tomorrow's world. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy)

We promote literacy in science, mathematics, and technology in order to help people live interesting, responsible, and productive lives. Science literacy requires understandings and habits of mind that enable citizens to make sense of how the natural and designed world work, to think critically and independently, to recognize and weigh alternative explanations of events and design trade-offs, and to deal sensibly with problems that involve evidence, numbers, patterns, logical arguments and uncertainties.

Students in a science classroom are equipped to build their knowledge of scientific concepts, develop higher order thinking, and inquiry-based skills. The Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) science curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills for proficiency in science. The Georgia Performance Standards are aligned to the National Research Council's National Science Education Standards and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy. 

The science performance standards provide clear expectations for instruction, assessment, and student work. They define the level of work that demonstrates achievement of the standards. The performance standards incorporate content standards, but expand upon them by providing suggested tasks, sample student work, and teacher commentary on that work.

Literacy in science requires conceptual understandings and habits of mind that enable citizens to make sense of how things work in the natural and designed world, to think critically and independently, to weigh alternative explanations of events, and deal sensibly with problems. A content standard is not met unless applicable characteristics of science are also addressed at the same time.

Georgia's science standards are configured in grade levels: K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. K-5 science instruction is an integration of four major strands: inquiry and science processes, physical science, life science, and earth/space science. In middle grades, 6th grade students study earth science, 7th grade students learn about life science, and 8th grade students concentrate on physical science. Science knowledge and inquiry skills are assessed using the Georgia Milestones Assessments in grades 5 and 8.

High school students are required by the state to take four units in science that must include one unit of biology, one unit of physical science or physics, one unit of either chemistry, earth science, environmental science, or an AP/IB course, and one additional science elective.  The Georgia Milestones End of Course (EOC) tests assess student knowledge in areas of biology and physical science at the high school level. Additional information on Georgia's mandated science assessments can be found on the Georgia Department of Education website.