We, the members of the California science, education, and business community, are committed to quality K-12 science education for all students.

We believe that state policy related to science education should be based on the highest quality science and science education knowledge.

We expect and demand high quality science education standards and high quality learning resources, including instructional materials and professional development.

Whereas the California Science Standards are based on neither the spirit nor the letter of the National Science Education Standards developed by the National Academy of Sciences,

Whereas the California Science Standards are based on neither the spirit nor the letter of the Benchmarks for Science Literacy developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science,

Whereas many of the California Science Standards are incorrect, misleading, ambiguous, and age-inappropriate,

Whereas the California Academic Standards Commission ignored offers from the National Academy of Sciences and other scientific societies to improve the quality of the California Science Standards,

Whereas the California Board of Education has approved a policy that effectively prohibits the adoption of scientifically accurate, thoroughly tested, and highly regarded kit-based science curricula,

Whereas the California Board of Education has approved a policy that allows the adoption of materials that have never been thoroughly tested in classrooms,

Whereas the economic vitality of California is directly related to the scientific abilities of all its people,

We therefore call for:

1. The revision of the California Science Standards so that they are correct, unambiguous, and age-appropriate and are consistent with peer-reviewed published academic research and the National Science Education Standards;

2. Rejection of the current policy that only allows the adoption of curriculum materials that meet all of the current California Science Standards at the specified grade level;

3. The immediate allowance of waivers for school districts so that they may purchase curriculum materials that are scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and thoroughly tested.

We call upon parents, teachers, schools, and school districts to disregard the current version of the California Science Standards and to assist the state in improving these standards and providing high quality learning resources.