Science Standards
From APEC HRDWG Wiki
Improving mathematics and science education is a key priority of the Education Network, as outlined in the Joint Statement from the 5th AEMM held in Gyeongju, Korea in 2012. The Mathematics and Science Instruction Ministerial Paper can be found here. Science standards specify the subject matter students should know and be able to do. Science standards are typically organized into three content areas: Earth and Space Sciences: Life Sciences: and Physical Sciences. Standards may also cover desired abilities or skill, such as conceptual understanding, theorizing and analyzing, solving problems, communicating, and using tools, processes and procedures.
APEC members differ in the degree to which they have centralized science and other standards. APEC commissioned a comparison report for an Analysis of Mathematics and Science Standards among the APEC member economies. Most APEC members have a central set of standards approved by the minstry or department responsible for education. However, several APEC members, including Canada, the United States, and Australia, have no national standards: each province or state determines its own.
In November 2009, a conference, The U.S.-China Experts Meeting on Science Education, was held to discuss and exchange educational ideas and information.
APEC Member Science Standards, as of 2007
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Economy |
National/ Regional Standards |
Organization |
Years Included |
Upper Seconday Course Standards Coded |
Secondary Structure: Integrated v Non-integrated |
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Regional. documents are guidelines for states and territories |
All Levels: Two year span |
Years 2-3 |
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"Integrated in Lower Secondary. | |
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National |
Primary: Two year span |
Primary: |
Biology |
Non-integrated | |
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National |
Primary: One |
Primary: |
Biology |
"Integrated in Lower Secondary | |
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National |
All Levels: Single Years |
Years 1-10 |
Physics |
Non-integrated | |
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National |
Primary: three year spans |
Primary: |
Biology |
Non-integrated | |
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National with significant flexibility at the regional level. |
Primary & Lower Secondary: Year spans with concentration at alternating years |
Pre-kindergarten-Year 4 (Year 1 Focus) |
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"Integrated in most years of Secondary | |
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Singapore |
National |
Primary: One Years |
Primary: Years 3-6 |
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Integrated |
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United States |
Regional |
Three or four year spans |
Primary: |
Biology |
Non-integrated |
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Cumulative national assessment framework. | All Levels: Four year span | Years 1-4 Years 5-8 Years 9-12 | | N/A |
See Also
Science Curriculum and Instruction
