A fast-start demonstration project is helping to build local education agency (LEA) capacity to fully implement the Next Generation Science Standards in grades K–8.

Eight California school districts will work with WestEd’s K–12 Alliance to develop and participate in leadership training for teachers and administrators, and in teacher professional development in content and pedagogy to meet the conceptual shifts required by the Next Generation Science Standards.

The San Diego Unified School District was one of the LEAs selected in a competitive application process, according to the district’s News blog.

The four-year Next Generation Science Standards Early Implementation Initiative was developed by the K–12 Alliance, in collaboration with the State Board of Education, the California Department of Education, and Achieve.

In addition to the News blog post, the initiative is featured in an article published in THE Journal.