{"id":17758,"date":"2025-07-18T13:58:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T17:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/?p=17758"},"modified":"2025-07-22T12:26:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T16:26:34","slug":"new-north-carolina-science-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/news-blog\/new-north-carolina-science-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Help Your Students Prepare for the New North Carolina Science Standards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Big changes are underway in <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/schools-districts\/north-carolina\/elementary-school\/\">North Carolina classrooms<\/a>. For the first time since 2009, the state has updated its K\u201312 science standards, and these aren&#8217;t minor tweaks. The 2023 updates, fully implemented in the 2024\u20132025 school year, mark a shift in how science is taught, emphasizing <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> students learn, not just <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> they learn.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Were the Standards Changed?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpi.nc.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">North Carolina Department of Public Instruction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (NCDPI) initiated this update to foster deeper conceptual understanding and ensure students develop the \u201cdurable skills\u201d needed for future success, skills like critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific inquiry. The revision aligns with Superintendent Catherine Truitt\u2019s \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dpi.nc.gov\/districts-schools\/operation-polaris\/portrait-graduate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Portrait of a Graduate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d framework, which reimagines student readiness beyond test scores to include lifelong competencies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While content remained mostly intact, the state saw an urgent need to modernize <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> science is taught. The goal? Equip students with hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that better reflect scientific practices and professional expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Did the Standards Change?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new standards span all grade levels and were revised with educator input to ensure age-appropriate, rigorous expectations. Every standard now emphasizes \u201cscientific and engineering practices,\u201d urging teachers to create more interactive, investigative classrooms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick look at tested grade-level changes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Grade 5<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Students now \u201ccarry out investigations\u201d to classify rocks rather than just memorizing types. They interpret fossil data instead of inferring ideas from text. This reflects a broader emphasis on applied learning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/schools-districts\/north-carolina\/middle-school\/\">Grade 8<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/schools-districts\/north-carolina\/high-school\/\">High School Biology<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: While core topics remain, students now explore systems through experimentation, modeling, and data interpretation, mirroring real-world science applications.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These changes aim to transform students from passive learners into active problem-solvers. Take a look at an example of a related question about analyzing data and applied research for 5th grade students.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"uk-margin-top item-content\">\n<style>\n    #unique-box-1 {\n        border: 3px solid #6E1A61; \/* Border color (purple) *\/\n        border-radius: 15px;       \/* Rounded corners *\/\n        padding: 20px;             \/* Space inside the box *\/\n        background-color: #f9f9f9; \/* Background color *\/\n        display: inline-block;     \/* Wrap around the content *\/\n        width: auto;               \/* Automatically adjust to the content size *\/\n        box-sizing: border-box;    \/* Include border in the box dimensions *\/\n        text-align: left;          \/* Align text inside the box to the left *\/\n    }\n  <\/style>\n<div id=\"unique-box-1\">\n    <span class=\"learnosity-item\" data-reference=\"2053170-en\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/br><\/p>\n<h2><b>What\u2019s Happened Since Implementation?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After one full year of rollout, schools across North Carolina are at different stages of success. Teachers are embracing the spirit of the new standards, but adapting instruction hasn&#8217;t been without challenges. The most frequently cited hurdles include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The steep learning curve of transitioning to hands-on instruction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gaps in aligned classroom resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Differentiating instruction for diverse learners, especially in science vocabulary and reading comprehension.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early anecdotal feedback suggests that schools emphasizing formative assessment and timely intervention have seen stronger student outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Can Schools Support Teachers and Students?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adapting to new standards takes more than enthusiasm, it requires tools that evolve with the standards and help teachers keep pace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s where Progress Learning comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our platform is fully aligned to the new North Carolina science standards. From day one, teachers can access pre-built assessments, adaptive intervention, and remediation resources that mirror the rigor of the state&#8217;s expectations. With over 200,000 items, including content specifically tailored for North Carolina, we eliminate the need for teachers to spend hours hunting for aligned materials.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Here\u2019s how we support success:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ongoing test prep<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Weekly practice that adjusts to student performance and stays current with NCDPI updates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/solutions\/online-remediation-platform\/\"><b>Immediate remediation<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: One-click access to targeted lessons and instructional videos for struggling learners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/solutions\/assessment-tool-for-teachers\/\"><b>Custom assessments<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Build or select tests that match the structure and content of state assessments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Seamless integration<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Our platform is intuitive, so teachers can embed it into their lessons without extra training or planning.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And unlike many other programs, <a href=\"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/our-products\/pricing\/\">Progress Learning is priced by campus<\/a>, not per student, making it a sustainable choice for districts of any size.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Moving Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The new North Carolina science standards are more than a curriculum update, they\u2019re a call to engage students in authentic scientific thinking. And while the transition takes time, the right tools can make all the difference. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Progress Learning, your team can focus on what really matters: helping every student understand, apply, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">love<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> science.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Get in touch below for a preview of Progress Learning&#8217;s NC standards-aligned platform and see how it can help your students.<\/p>\n<script charset=\"utf-8\" type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/\/js.hsforms.net\/forms\/embed\/v2.js\"><\/script>\r\n<script>\r\n  hbspt.forms.create({\r\n    region: \"na1\",\r\n    portalId: \"23272034\",\r\n    formId: \"3bd16ddb-4120-40f2-ae04-334b789b41ff\"\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Big changes are underway in North Carolina classrooms. For the first time since 2009, the state has updated its K\u201312 science standards, and these aren&#8217;t minor tweaks. The 2023 updates, fully implemented in the 2024\u20132025 school year, mark a shift in how science is taught, emphasizing how students learn, not just what they learn. Why [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":17761,"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\ude80 North Carolina's new K\u201312 science standards are here\u2014emphasizing hands-on, real-world learning! \ud83e\uddea Help students thrive with tools already aligned & ready to go. #EdTech #NCed #STEM \ud83c\udf0e\ud83d\udcda","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":[312],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-north-carolina"],"acf":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Blog-How-to-Help-Your-Students-Meet-the-New-NC-Science-Standards.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17758","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=17758"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17758\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17792,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17758\/revisions\/17792"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/progresslearning.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}