Integrated Science Instructional Sequences
In October, 2003, the California State Board of Education established sets of standards
for each of four levels of high school integrated science. These standards are identical to
the Grade 9-12 content standards in biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and
investigation and experimentation.
CSTA, in collaboration with the California Department of Education, has developed sets of
instructional sequences for each of the four levels of integrated science which provide examples
how high school instruction in integrated science might be organized. There are clearly alternative
ways in which an integrated science curriculum might be organized and, therefore, this document
does not represent a mandate for instruction but is meant as an assist to teachers and districts
in organizing an integrated science curriculum aligned to the state-approved blueprints for
integrated science.
Additionally, in January, 2004, the State Board of Education approved a set of blueprints
that will be used to design a high school assessment mandated by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
act. This exam will be administered in 10th grade and will assess the high school biology and
middle school life science standards. Schools/districts that are implementing integrated science
in both 9th and 10th grade should recognize that 57 percent of the standards defined on the
blueprint are covered in years one and two of the integrated science blueprints. Districts are
encouraged to offer a comprehensive 7th grade standards-based science course so that students
entering high school will have mastery of the life science standards which form the foundation
for the high school biology standards. NCLB comparison charts are also included at the link below.
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