With the constant strive for higher standards in education, New York State has joined with other states in the nation to develop a new strategy to teach science and 21st-century learning skills to ensure that our children are ready to compete in the global economy. This study sought to determine the current knowledge and perceptions of in-service teachers in New York State regarding the shift in standards from the 1996-based standards to the recently adopted New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS) and their implementation in the classroom. The study aims to help identify the shifts in classroom practices resulting from the new standards and determine possible barriers to implementing the NYSSLS in New York State. Participants in the study were in-service teachers and administrators in New York State. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]