The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) call for substantial changes in science teaching and learning. Given this context, how are districts escalating their planning efforts for NGSS implementation?

NGSS Early Implementers is a four-year initiative created to help eight California school districts and two charter management organizations, supported by WestEd’s K–12 Alliance, implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

This evaluation report documents lessons learned by the Early Implementer districts that are developing and using master plans to implement NGSS.

Intended for district-level administrators and state education policymakers, the report focuses on the following topics:

  • Benefits of developing an NGSS implementation plan
  • Processes used to develop plan components, including overcoming challenges
  • Recommendations for developing plans

The appendix includes over 40 pages of practical samples of district NGSS implementation plans, to give readers a clear idea of what goes into a thorough NGSS implementation plan.