KnowAtom Press

Two School Districts Using KnowAtom Tied at 18th in Massachusetts Testing for Science Proficiency

Nov 26, 2024 10:14:05 AM by Staff Writer

Manchester-Essex Regional School Students Gain 17 Points and Reading Public Schools Improves by 3 Points to Rank in the Top 10% of 279 School Districts

Reading, Manchester, Essex, and Ipswich Mass., November 26, 2024 - Fifth-grade students from Manchester-Essex Regional School District gained 17 points on the Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) and Reading Public Schools students gained 3 points on the state-wide science test in 2024, scoring in the top 10% of the 279 school districts in the state. Both of the public school districts, tied in the rankings at 18th, partner with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula

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Topics: Press Release, Testing

School District Ranks 1st for Elementary Science in State Rated Top for Public Education

Nov 18, 2024 8:35:39 AM by Nicole Lanoue

Massachusetts’ North Reading Public School District Ranked 1st in the State

NORTH READING, Mass. - Fifth-grade students from North Reading Public School District in Massachusetts achieved the best test scores in the state on this year’s Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS). The school district ranks first in the state, considered one of the best in the nation for public education, for elementary science this year. The North Reading Public School District is partnered with KnowAtom, a Massachusetts company and nationwide provider of K-8 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based curricula.

“The commitment of our district's science leaders and educators supported with access to KnowAtom's high quality instructional materials provide amazing learning opportunities for all students.  We take great pride in our students' experiences and celebrate their curiosity and ability to utilize science practices to solve real life problems,” said Sean Killeen, North Reading’s Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.

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Topics: Press Release

KnowAtom Curriculum Partner District Ranks 4th for Elementary Science in State Rated First Nationally for Public Education

Nov 15, 2024 12:09:53 PM by Staff Writer

Massachusetts’ Carlisle Public Schools Elementary Students Achieve Top Scores in 2024

Carlisle, Mass. November 12, 2024 - Fifth-grade students from Carlisle Public Schools achieved top scores in the state on this year’s 2024 Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS). The school district ranks fourth in the state for science, considered first in the nation for public education by Consumer Affairs. Carlisle Public Schools partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of hands-on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula

District-wide, 81% of fifth-grade students from Carlisle Public Schools met or exceeded expectations set by the state on this year’s MCAS, representing a 3-point increase over the district’s 2023 scores. Statewide, only 44% of Massachusetts students met or exceeded proficiency levels (MCAS Data, 2024). Carlisle Public Schools uses KnowAtom’s hands-on science curriculum, which is designed for hands-on screens-off mastery of Massachusetts Science and Technology Engineering Frameworks. Another KnowAtom partner in Massachusetts, North Reading Public Schools, ranked 1st in the state this year for science.

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Topics: Press Release

Rural Regional School District Achieves Significant Increase in State Science Test Scores With New KnowAtom Curriculum

Nov 14, 2024 10:48:15 AM by Nicole Lanoue

Massachusetts’ Orange School District Achieves 26-Point Increase in Science Proficiency

ORANGE, Mass., November 7, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Fifth-grade students from Fisher Hill Elementary School achieved their highest-ever proficiency levels on the Next Generation Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) in 2024. The school district partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula. Leanne Lovell, a 5th grade teacher at Fisher Hill says, “The students are more engaged than ever using KnowAtom. Each student has their own supplies, and they feel like real scientists.”

Students from the rural Massachusetts community of Orange, MA, gained 15 points over last year’s state test results. These scores also represent a 26-point improvement over the district’s results in 2022 and are just nine points shy of the statewide average.

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Topics: Press Release

KnowAtom Partner District Easton Public Schools Scores Double Digit Lead on State Science Test

Nov 1, 2024 7:00:00 AM by Nicole Lanoue

Easton, MA (11/01/2024) – Fifth-grade students from Easton Public Schools improved proficiency levels by five points on the Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) in 2024, scoring 12 points higher than the statewide average. The school district currently partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula.

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Topics: Press Release, Testing

Research Shows New Attitudes About Learning Science Using KnowAtom's NGSS-Based Curriculum

Aug 28, 2022 6:59:16 AM by KnowAtom Media

SALEM, Mass., June 9, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Research from Dr. Tracy L. Waters at Northeastern University highlights the changing attitudes, instructional practices, and achievement levels that resulted from the implementation of KnowAtom's Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-designed curriculum. She evaluated KnowAtom curriculum implementation by elementary and middle school science teachers. The KnowAtom curriculum is designed to help teachers connect students with phenomena-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning opportunities.

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Topics: student results, Press Release, Professional Development, NGSS-Designed Curriculum

New Research Results on Elementary Science Standards in Action

Aug 28, 2022 6:48:49 AM by Samantha Ozgood

Better science performance is more attainable than previously thought

SALEM, Mass., June 23, 2021 (Newswire.com) - A recent study conducted by Northeastern University has revealed a transformative outcome for students and teachers who utilize curriculum based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This third-party instrumental case study was designed to investigate the experiences of fourth and fifth-grade science teachers as they implemented the KnowAtom curriculum, which is specifically designed for mastery of NGSS standards.

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Topics: standardized testing, Middle School Science Curriculum, Implementing New Science Standards, Next Generation Science Classroom Instruction

KnowAtom School Districts Rank Top in the State

Feb 7, 2022 2:15:00 PM by Francis Vigeant

Schools with Top Student Achievement During COVID-19 Share Hands-on
Science Curriculum

SALEM, Mass., February 4, 2022 (Newswire.com) - KnowAtom announced today two Massachusetts school districts that use the education company's K-8 Next Generation Science Standards curriculum (NGSS) ranked top in the state on the most recent MCAS tests. After a break in state testing due to COVID shutdowns in 2020, students using the KnowAtom curriculum ranked #1 for science among 317 public and charter districts in the state in 2021.

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Topics: Next Generation Science Standards, student results, Massachusetts, Growth Mindset, Next Generation Science, NGSS-Designed Curriculum, Phenomena-Based Learning, Hands-On Tools

Research Shows Teachers Implemented More Hands-on Learning Activities When Using KnowAtom's NGSS-Based Curriculum

Jul 12, 2021 3:31:00 PM by Samantha Ozgood

SALEM, Mass., July 12, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Research from Northeastern University's Dr. Tracy L. Waters shows a shift in teaching methods and belief in what students can achieve through hands-on, collaborative learning with the implementation of KnowAtom's Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based K-8 curriculum. Dr. Waters evaluated implementation by teachers who had been teaching the KnowAtom curriculum for at least two years and who ranged in teaching experience from 2 to 25 years. Her study participants reported a shift in their own understanding of the different processes, practices, and results that can come from collaborative science investigation in the classroom.

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Topics: Next Generation Science Standards, Professional Development, Time on Learning, NGSS-Designed Curriculum

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-Based Curriculum Helps Improve Math and Writing Skills Too

Jul 5, 2021 12:51:00 PM by Samantha Ozgood

SALEM, Mass., July 5, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Since 2015, at least forty-five states and D.C. have adopted or adapted K-12 science education standards guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), according to research from Northeastern University's Dr. Tracy L. Waters. This means the vast majority of U.S. students are learning under standards designed to build the skills needed to join the workforce of the future. Waters' research shows fourth and fifth-grade students using KnowAtom's hands-on NGSS-based science curriculum demonstrated measurable increases in achievement levels, engagement, and classroom behavior.

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Topics: Press Release, Professional Development, Growth Mindset, ELA and Math, NGSS-Designed Curriculum, Next Generation Science Classroom Instruction

Professional Development Essential to Achieving Highest Levels of K-8 Student Achievement, Research Shows

Jun 28, 2021 9:08:00 AM by Samantha Ozgood

Study Shows Adoption of NGSS-Based Teaching Models Shift Teacher and Student Thinking

SALEM, Mass., June 28, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Research from Northeastern University's Dr. Tracy L. Waters, "The Effects of the Next Generation Science Standards on Teaching Practices: An Instrumental Case Study," shows schools combining KnowAtom's research-based instructional practices with the program's new model of professional development achieved measurable increases in student learning and engagement. Looking at fourth- and fifth-grade teachers using KnowAtom's next-generation science standards (NGSS)-based curriculum for the first time, Waters identified changes in teaching methods, beliefs about teaching and learning science, and increased responsibility given to students in their own learning process.

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Topics: Professional Development, Next Generation Science, Implementing New Science Standards, NGSS-Designed Curriculum

Review Finds Big Impact on Teaching & Learning With KnowAtom Curriculum for NGSS

Jun 14, 2021 9:00:00 AM by KnowAtom Media

KnowAtom partnership brings transformational curriculum and professional development to K-8 classrooms

SALEM, Mass., June 14, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Bringing science to life with KnowAtom in a phenomena-based approach to hands-on science and engineering transforms both teachers and their students.

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Topics: Press Release, Professional Development, KnowAtom Science Curriculum, STEAM Curriculum, Next Generation Science Classroom Instruction, Formative Assessment

Research-Based Science Curriculum Improves Outcomes for Students and Teachers

Jun 7, 2021 9:05:00 AM by KnowAtom Media

SALEM, Mass., June 7, 2021 (Newswire.com) - When science curriculum integrates research-based methods and teacher partnerships, it creates a clear path for putting ideas into action in the classroom and improving overall outcomes. KnowAtom, curriculum designed for the Next Generation Science Standards, delivers a shared platform for best practices that goes beyond a product into a partnership for next-generation teaching practices.

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New Science Standards Improve Learning Outcomes, Teaching Practices and Professional Development Opportunities

Jun 1, 2021 9:28:00 AM by KnowAtom Media

KnowAtom brings Next Generation Science Standards to U.S. elementary and middle school science classrooms.

SALEM, Mass., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Science curriculum in some schools has come a long way from rote memorization and lectures. In fact, today's Next Generation Science Standards are transforming science classrooms across the United States, welcoming in better test results, teaching practices and professional development opportunities along the way.

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Topics: STEM / STEAM, KnowAtom Science Curriculum, NGSS-Aligned Curriculum, science education

Research Highlighting Success of KnowAtom Curriculum Shapes Adoption of Next Generation Science Standards Nationwide

May 28, 2021 9:39:00 AM by KnowAtom Media

SALEM, Mass., May 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An evaluation of KnowAtom curriculum implementation by elementary and middle school science teachers showed changing beliefs and attitudes about teaching and learning related to next generation science standards (NGSS), according to Northeastern University researcher Dr. Tracy L. Waters. The findings are spurring adoption of student-led, collaborative teaching models for science instruction in schools nationwide.

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Topics: School Climate and Culture, Professional Development, Middle School Science Curriculum, Implementing New Science Standards, NGSS-Designed Curriculum

Leaders Agree: Forget Memorization When It Comes to the Value of School

Dec 20, 2018 12:06:18 PM by Sara Goodman

Engaging students in meaningful tasks and pedagogy needs to take center stage within classrooms, Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley told a conference of close to 300 K-8 educators earlier this month, hosted by KnowAtom

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Topics: School Climate and Culture, Next Generation Science, Next Generation Leadership, Phenomena-Based Learning, STEM Education Policy

Science Curriculum Links Top-Performing Schools

Dec 20, 2018 11:36:01 AM by Sara Goodman

Two KnowAtom schools lead Massachusetts in science scoring on the 2018 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), according to the most recent data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The J. T. Hood Elementary School and L.D. Batchelder Elementary School were two of only four schools in Massachusetts with more than 90 percent of its students scoring “Advanced” or “Proficient” on the most recent statewide science standards-based assessment.

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Topics: New Standardized Testing, Next Generation Science Classroom Instruction, Phenomena-Based Learning, Formative Assessment, Three-Dimensional Learning

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