{"id":16356,"date":"2025-03-13T09:12:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T13:12:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=16356"},"modified":"2025-03-20T15:07:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T19:07:21","slug":"tennessee-new-science-standards-2025-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/tennessee-new-science-standards-2025-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee\u2019s New K-12 Science Standards: What Educators Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Science education is evolving in Tennessee! As part of the state\u2019s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tn.gov\/education.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has conducted a rigorous review of its K-12 science standards. The newly updated Tennessee Academic Standards for Science will take effect in the <\/span><b>2025-2026 school year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for success in college, careers, and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what\u2019s changing? While the <\/span><b>core structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of Tennessee\u2019s science curriculum will remain the same, the updates introduce several key refinements:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Greater coherence across grade levels<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ensuring a smoother transition from elementary to middle to high school.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Refined performance expectations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making standards more explicit and aligned with real-world applications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Stronger integration of engineering and technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, encouraging students to engage in scientific inquiry and problem-solving.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expanded focus on environmental and climate science<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, equipping students with knowledge about sustainability and human impact on Earth\u2019s systems.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below, we\u2019ve provided a <\/span><b>detailed breakdown of the updates by grade level and subject<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to give you a clear understanding of what\u2019s new and how these changes will impact your instruction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Elementary School (K-5) Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Kindergarten<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater emphasis on <\/span><b>classifying materials<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> based on absorbency, color, and texture.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refinement of <\/span><b>weather data collection<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> skills (using tools like thermometers and rain gauges).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Engineering design<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now includes drawing and labeling designs with improved accuracy\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>1st Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger focus on <\/span><b>light and shadows<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, emphasizing how light interacts with different materials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Addition of <\/span><b>plant structure and function<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and their roles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More detailed exploration of <\/span><b>the sun, moon, and stars<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and their predictable patterns\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>2nd Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded emphasis on <\/span><b>forces and motion<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including an investigation into how different strengths and directions of force affect motion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduction of <\/span><b>waves and their applications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with experiments in sound and light transmission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater focus on <\/span><b>adaptations of animals for survival<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including parental behaviors\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>3rd Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deeper exploration of <\/span><b>states of matter<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including particle models for solids, liquids, and gases.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of <\/span><b>electricity and magnetism<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> concepts, including static electricity and energy transformation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More explicit connections between <\/span><b>weather, climate, and cloud formations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>4th Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refined <\/span><b>energy transfer concepts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with a focus on mechanical and thermal energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ecosystem interactions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> now include a stronger focus on food chains and energy flow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More structured approach to <\/span><b>engineering design<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including testing and refining solutions\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>5th Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More integration of <\/span><b>matter and chemical reactions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with a focus on conservation of mass.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detailed exploration of <\/span><b>Earth\u2019s systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly water cycles and human impact.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger crosscutting concepts linking <\/span><b>biological, physical, and environmental sciences<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Middle School (6-8) Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>6th Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Energy transfer models<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are emphasized, showing connections between heat, light, and motion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger focus on <\/span><b>ecosystem dynamics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including human impact and sustainability.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New integration of <\/span><b>plate tectonics and geological changes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>7th Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More structured investigation of <\/span><b>photosynthesis and cellular respiration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded focus on <\/span><b>natural selection and adaptation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including biodiversity impacts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater incorporation of <\/span><b>data analysis and mathematical modeling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in science\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>8th Grade<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger connections between <\/span><b>physics concepts and real-world applications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Climate change and Earth\u2019s systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are more explicitly addressed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Scientific research skills<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are emphasized through inquiry-based learning\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>High School (9-12) Course Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Biology I &amp; II<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater alignment with <\/span><b>real-world biological applications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including genetics and biotechnology.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of <\/span><b>evolutionary principles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, particularly in ecosystem changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More <\/span><b>experimental design and inquiry-based learning<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for investigations\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Chemistry I &amp; II<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced clarity in <\/span><b>atomic structure and bonding models<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More structured approach to <\/span><b>stoichiometry and thermodynamics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded integration of <\/span><b>environmental chemistry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> concepts\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Earth and Space Science<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger emphasis on <\/span><b>climate systems and human impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More integration of <\/span><b>geological and astronomical data<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> interpretation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved connection between <\/span><b>Earth&#8217;s history and planetary systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Ecology<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More explicit connections between <\/span><b>biodiversity and ecosystem stability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger focus on <\/span><b>sustainability and conservation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> efforts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater emphasis on <\/span><b>field-based scientific investigations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Environmental Science<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded focus on <\/span><b>renewable energy and resource management<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger connections between <\/span><b>policy, science, and sustainability<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New emphasis on <\/span><b>climate change modeling and mitigation strategies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Geology<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More structured approach to <\/span><b>rock cycle, plate tectonics, and geological history<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of <\/span><b>mineral identification and resource usage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater integration of <\/span><b>GIS and remote sensing technologies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Human Anatomy and Physiology<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More focus on <\/span><b>homeostasis and system interactions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded discussion of <\/span><b>medical technologies and applications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater emphasis on <\/span><b>disease mechanisms and prevention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Physical Science<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger connections between <\/span><b>motion, forces, and energy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More emphasis on <\/span><b>wave behavior and practical applications<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improved focus on <\/span><b>engineering applications of physical science<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Physical World Concepts<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More integration of <\/span><b>physics principles with engineering and technology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of <\/span><b>energy transformations in mechanical systems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater emphasis on <\/span><b>scientific literacy and problem-solving<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Physics I &amp; II<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More structured approach to <\/span><b>classical and modern physics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> topics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expansion of <\/span><b>quantum mechanics and relativity concepts<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater incorporation of <\/span><b>experimental and computational physics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Scientific Research<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stronger focus on <\/span><b>scientific inquiry and methodology<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More emphasis on <\/span><b>data collection, analysis, and interpretation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integration of <\/span><b>technology and computational modeling in research<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u200b.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Progress Learning Supports the Transition<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Tennessee adopts these new standards, <\/span><b>Progress Learning<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ensures alignment by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Updating content and assessments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to match the new state requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/solutions\/online-remediation-platform\/\"><strong>Providing targeted remediation<\/strong><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0to help students master new and existing concepts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/about-us\/training\/\"><b>Offering professional development<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to support teachers in implementing the changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With these updates, Tennessee educators and students are better prepared for the future of science education. <\/span><b>Subscribe below to stay connected with Progress Learning for more updates and resources!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \ud83d\ude80<\/span><\/p>\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n\thbspt.forms.create({\r\n\t\tregion: \"na1\",\r\n\t\tportalId: \"23272034\",\r\n\t\tformId: \"c970216b-3a79-4ad1-a9d7-920aea441c78\"\r\n\t});\r\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Science education is evolving in Tennessee! As part of the state\u2019s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) has conducted a rigorous review of its K-12 science standards. The newly updated Tennessee Academic Standards for Science will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring that students are equipped with the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":16357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"\ud83d\udea8 Tennessee\u2019s K-12 Science Standards Are Changing! New updates take effect in 2025-2026, bringing more clarity, coherence & STEM integration. Stay ahead with our full breakdown! \ud83c\udf0e\ud83d\udd2c","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[301],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tennessee"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Tennessee-K-12-Science-Standards-Update.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16356"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16356\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16438,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16356\/revisions\/16438"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}