The confluence of Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and 21st century skills provides an unparalleled opportunity to improve STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for all students, particularly English learners.

CCSS, NGSS, and 21st century skills point to a significant shift in education toward a deeper approach to learning—an approach that focuses on building both conceptual understanding and the language skills necessary to convey that understanding.

This paper, produced by WestEd’s Region IX Equity Assistance Center, supports the idea that high-quality science instruction serves as an effective method to achieve these goals, particularly for English learners.