critical thinking | NGSS | science literacy | science proficiency | scientific inquiry | STEM

Across the country, a surprising challenge is emerging in schools: students who excel in math and reading are falling behind in science. For some communities, it’s been a wake-up call. Parents are asking hard questions, educators are poring over data, and district leaders are seeking solutions to turn this trend around.

Nationally, fewer than one in four high school seniors—and just over a third of fourth and eighth graders—achieved proficiency in science, according to the most recent NAEP test results. The White House corroborates this troubling reality: only 22% of American high school graduates are considered science-proficient.

But this issue goes beyond test scores. Science proficiency means equipping students to think critically, solve real-world problems, and understand how science shapes their daily lives. In an increasingly STEM-driven world, a strong foundation in science is vital—whether students are college-bound or heading straight into the workforce.

Accountability measures are finally bringing this crisis into focus. California, for instance, is adding science performance to its School Dashboard, an online tool that shows how local educational agencies and schools are performing on state and local indicators. This is forcing districts to grapple with what has been overlooked for too long—traditional teaching methods aren’t meeting the needs of students when it comes to science.

Improving science outcomes won’t be easy, but it’s worth the effort. The future of our students—and the communities they’ll build—depends on it.

Ripple Effects: How Low Science Proficiency Shapes Lives and Futures

Lifelong Impacts on Students
When students graduate without a strong foundation in science literacy, the effects ripple throughout their lives. Beyond career choices, science literacy shapes how students navigate the complexities of the modern world, from being able to critically evaluate information and problem-solve.

As Nicholas B. Dirks, President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences, explains:

“Ensuring that students have a solid foundation in science is not just about encouraging young people to consider STEM-based careers. The scientific-discovery process helps to develop critical thinking and analytical skills that can be applied to any field of employment. Moreover, science understanding will help students to better interpret media coverage about science and make more informed decisions as voters.”

Broader Implications for Society
Low science proficiency doesn’t just impact individuals—it has far-reaching consequences for society as a whole. Public decision-making on issues like healthcare and climate change suffers when citizens lack a basic understanding of science.

Globally, the U.S. continues to lag in STEM proficiency. Only 29% of Americans rate the country’s K–12 STEM education as above average, according to Pew Research Center data.

Declining STEM scores threaten America’s position as a technological leader, particularly in an era defined by innovations like quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI).

Researchers warn that without significant improvements, the U.S. risks falling further behind nations that prioritize STEM education.

Even more troubling is the generational impact of inequitable science education. When access to quality instruction is uneven, it limits the diversity of perspectives and problem-solving approaches needed to tackle today’s complex challenges. The resulting gaps create visible and invisible consequences, undermining the potential for inclusive innovation and progress.

Addressing science proficiency is about more than improving test scores. It’s about preparing the next generation to think critically, contribute meaningfully, and shape a brighter future—for themselves and the world around them.

A System in Flux: Unpacking the Challenges in Science Education

A Textbook Problem

• Too often, science feels like a spectator sport. Students passively read textbooks, listen to lectures, or memorize facts.
• Margaret Honey, CEO of the New York Hall of Science explains: “They’re left asking, ‘What does science have to do with my life?'”

The NGSS Gap

• Incomplete adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) leaves cracks in how students learn to question, explore, and think critically.
• Teachers are under-equipped and may lack the aligned curriculum, resources, and support they need to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
• Shifting to full NGSS adoption often requires significant time, as schools navigate structural, logistical, and training challenges.

The Culture Clash

• Students navigate various cultural influences throughout their day. At times, these cultural values may conflict with scientific explanations taught in school, such as views on evolution, climate change, or the age of the Earth. This can leave students feeling uncertain or alienated.
• In rural and underserved areas, science often feels detached from social, ethical, or real-world contexts, making it harder for students to connect.

Inequity in the Lab

• Marginalized students—those impacted by poverty, race, gender, disability, and more—frequently receive fewer opportunities to engage in high-quality science education.
• Despite public education’s promise of equity, systemic barriers like underfunded schools, outdated resources, unequal access to technology, and lack of culturally responsive teaching continue to deny many students the tools and instruction they need to succeed.

Reversing the Trendline: How NGSS Elevates Science Education and Proficiency

For years, science has often been taught in the abstract—a string of facts to memorize, disconnected from the day-to-day of students’ lives. But when lessons begin with real-world mysteries to solve or phenomena to explore, science comes alive, and as a result, students are more engaged.

This is the promise of NGSS: It does more than teach scientific concepts or facts. It empowers students to think, question, and act like scientists so that they can apply scientific inquiry to their lived experiences.

Build Science Literacy Through Engagement

At the heart of NGSS is a commitment to hands-on, inquiry-based learning that prepares students to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively. Key pillars of the framework include:

• Core Scientific Ideas: Foundational concepts are introduced early and deepened over time, giving students a clear and lasting understanding of essential scientific principles.
• Science and Engineering Practices: Students learn how scientists work by acting like scientists: planning experiments, analyzing data, and constructing explanations.
• Crosscutting Concepts: Themes like cause and effect and patterns connect lessons across disciplines, helping students see the bigger picture.
• Phenomenon-Based Learning: Lessons start with real-world phenomena, becoming relatable and engaging by showing students how science impacts their daily lives.

This approach translates into more than better test scores. Students develop critical thinking skills, curiosity, and confidence—qualities they’ll carry into college, careers, and life. As April Pence, a teacher at Edison High School, explains:

“Even if they don’t become a scientist … I want them to understand how science works, how it affects their lives, and how it can help them build their critical thinking skills. Phenomena-based instruction provides an opportunity to practice all of that.”

From Theory to Practice

NGSS doesn’t just teach science; it brings it to life. Students see how scientific concepts apply to their own experiences. Research backs this approach: Project-based learning, a cornerstone of NGSS, has been proven to boost academic performance and critical thinking.

For example, a five-year study by Green Ninja found that schools implementing project-based learning experienced an average 2.3-point increase in science test scores. Additionally, the number of English language learners and low-income students scoring “below standard” dropped by 24%. These students also exhibited a stronger grasp of climate science and reported behaviors leading to a 30% smaller carbon footprint when compared to peers who did not participate in project-based learning.

Why It Matters
NGSS is more than a framework—it’s a call to action. By making science relevant, engaging, and accessible, it equips students with the tools to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and inspires them to shape a better future.

The NGSS Advantage: Building Better Learners and Citizens

When it comes to tackling low science proficiency, the right curriculum doesn’t just align with standards—it transforms the learning experience for students and teachers alike. Kognity’s digital NGSS-aligned curriculum for high school does exactly that, through embedded teacher supports and innovative tools that immerse students in the scientific inquiry process.

Science for Everyone: Tools That Make Learning Click
Science can be intimidating, especially for students who struggle with comprehension or language barriers. Kognity breaks through these hurdles with:

• Interactive, Hands-On Resources: From 3D models and interactive textbooks to multimedia explanations and animations, students can visualize and explore scientific concepts in ways that make them click.
• Multilingual Support and Accessibility Tools: Features like translations and reading assistance ensure all students can engage with the material, no matter their learning needs.
• Real-World Connections: Phenomena-based learning ties lessons to everyday life, sparking curiosity and making science feel relevant and exciting.

Empower Educators with Confidence
Behind every engaged student is a confident teacher! Kognity equips educators with the tools and training they need to bring NGSS to life in their classrooms:

• Comprehensive Professional Development: Workshops, webinars, and on-demand resources help teachers master NGSS practices and feel supported every step of the way.
• Clear Implementation Guides: Step-by-step support makes adopting NGSS seamless, whether teachers are new to the standards or seasoned educators looking to level up.

Kognity: A Catalyst for Change
The path to improving science proficiency is complex, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. With its NGSS-aligned curriculum, Kognity is helping schools create classrooms where science inspires, teachers thrive, and students succeed.

Discover how Kognity can help your school close the science proficiency gap! Empower your science team with tools to engage every student and unlock their full potential. Start your free 30-day trial today!

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