New K-12 science standards in California could lead to revised high school graduation requirements and a stronger science focus in the early grade levels. According to Niu Gao, a Research Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, the new science standards are dramatically different from previous standards.
The report finds that successful implementation of the new standards would require a minimum of three years of life and physical sciences, which is currently at two-years. Instructional materials, science labs and equipment, teacher shortages and proper training also presented challenges.