National and Selected State Standards Related To Design

Each activity included in Design In The Classroom was designed with national standards in mind. In 1996, the National Science Education Standards (NSES) included technological design among its core subjects.

Most states have adopted high-stakes testing to assess student learning and evaluate teaching programs. Only some states have incorporated technological literacy and design into their standards and high-stakes tests. For instance, in Massachusetts, the MCAS has an Engineering/Technology component that asks students to reason about technological systems, and to know, use and reflect upon the design process.

Read about state standards for Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina within this section.

•  National Standards  The NSES's inclusion of technological design as a Content Standard is detailed.
•  Georgia  Links are provided between specific Math and Science standards from the Georgia Performance Science Standards and specific design tasks found in DITC.
•  Massachusetts  The MCAS has an extensive Engineering/Technology section that asks students to reason about technological systems, and to know, use and reflect upon the design process.
•  New Jersey  Details on the Nature and Process of Technology, which are part of NJ's standards, are presented.
•  New York  Engineering design and scientific inquiry's inclusion in NY's Core Curriculum are described.
•  North Carolina  NC's Science Standard Course of Study includes specific Competency Goals, and more general Strands and Unifying Concepts. All relate to the practice of technological design and study of technology.