Updated February 20, 2025
Science learning is being overlooked in California schools because the State Board of Education (SBE) has yet to include meaningful accountability measures for student outcomes in science. Our partners at the California Association of Science Educators are leading a campaign urging the SBE to restore science as a priority in California’s school accountability system. We need your voice to ensure that all students—regardless of background—receive a strong science education. We’re asking all Movement members – both individuals and organizations – to join us in calling on the State Board to act by signing on to the campaign today!
Science education is critical to preparing California students for the future, yet it remains overlooked in our state’s school accountability system. Despite clear evidence that students need strong science instruction to succeed in college, careers, and beyond, the SBE has not included meaningful measures for student outcomes in science in our state accountability system since 2017. Prior to 2017, science was part of California’s accountability system, helping to ensure that schools prioritized student learning in this critical subject. Since its removal, science education has suffered, and the 2024 California Science Test (CAST) results underscore the consequences. The latest data reveal significant achievement gaps, with historically underserved students continuing to lag behind their peers. Without a clear commitment to science accountability, these disparities will persist, and students will miss out on opportunities to develop the skills they need for the future.
This is not the first time we have faced this issue. In 2018, members of The Children’s Movement successfully advocated for the inclusion of science in California’s school accountability system, demonstrating the power of collective action. However, the membership of California SBE has changed since 2018, and while the current membership has previously indicated support, that support showed signs of wavering at the January 2025 SBE meeting. Now is the time for the SBE to stand by its prior commitments by ensuring that science is fully integrated into the state’s accountability system. Key actions needed in 2025 include:
- Establishing cut scores for status and change in student performance on the California Science Test
- Publishing a 5X5 color grid for science performance, and incorporating science into the Dashboard as a state-level indicator that disaggregates data by student group, districts, and schools
- Including science as a criterion for Differentiated Assistance, ensuring that districts struggling in science receive the support they need
Maintaining robust support for science education is essential. Science education serves as a gateway to high-demand STEM careers and provides students with critical problem-solving and inquiry-based learning experiences. The current inclusion of science data in the 2024 California School Dashboard for informational purposes (as opposed for accountability), has already generated positive engagement among educators and district leaders, leading to increased collaboration and support for high-quality science instruction. However, opposition remains, with some voices arguing against including science in the accountability system. We must continue to advocate for science to be recognized as a subject equally important as English language arts and mathematics.
Our collective voice has made a difference before, and we can do it again. By taking action today, you are helping to ensure that every student—no matter their background—has access to a high-quality science education that prepares them for the future. Let’s stand together and make science a priority in California schools once and for all!
Please contact [email protected] if you have questions or would like to learn more about this advocacy effort.
