September 20, 2011 — A group of 20 states has been selected to lead the development of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), a state-led effort that will clearly define the content and practices all students will need to learn from kindergarten through high school graduation. The Lead State Partners are Arizona, California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.

November 9, 2011 — It's not uncommon for a school kid to ask teachers the question, "how is this going to help me later in life?" This is the same question national leaders in the science field are asking of the current, national standards we're teaching our children and the answer those leaders have found is that it's time for the standards to change...and scientists right here in South Dakota are leading the way for those changes.

Since the Sputnik launch, Americans have regarded science education as vital to national security and economic growth. Yet, recent research indicates that U.S. students lag internationally in science education, making them less competitive for jobs in the global workforce.

WASHINGTON – March 30, 2012 – A recent poll released today shows voters are virtually unanimous—97%—in believing that improving the quality of science education is important to the United States' ability to compete globally. Moreover, making sure American students receive a world-class education in math and science ranked second only to fixing the nation's financial health as a strategy for improving America's economic competitiveness with other countries.