US State Science Standards: Does Your State Measure Up?

This post at Scientific American* on cruddy state science standards in the US  caught my eye recently. No time to read? Honestly, it's a brief piece, but if you're in a rush, check this map see how your state stacks up. Mine got a D! Fortunately, before I got my panties bunched up over this, I read the article and learned that:

The study’s lead authors identified four main factors: an undermining of evolution, vague goals, not enough guidance for teachers on how to integrate the history of science and the concept of scientific inquiry into their lessons, and not enough math instruction.

If that's the case, then our local schools are probably doing okay. Which is not to say I'm a fan of our middle school science curriculum. I'm not. I don't think it's suitable for academically advanced kids. But it does contain many elements that put it streets ahead** of what is out there.

The article ends with discussion about newer, more rigourous standards that some are pushing for. Read more at Next Generation Science Standards.

What do you think of your state (or school's) science standards?

*Hat tip to @ScienceGoddess for pointing this out. 
**"Community" reference. Get it?

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