ERIC Number: EJ1323944
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2332-8584
EISSN: N/A
Understanding Public Sentiment about Educational Reforms: The Next Generation Science Standards on Twitter
Rosenberg, Joshua M.; Borchers, Conrad; Dyer, Elizabeth B.; Anderson, Daniel; Fischer, Christian
AERA Open, v7 n1 Jan-Dec 2021
System-wide educational reforms are difficult to implement in the United States, but despite the difficulties, reforms can be successful, particularly when they are associated with broad public support. This study reports on the nature of the public sentiment expressed about a nationwide science education reform effort, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Through the use of data science techniques to measure the sentiment of posts on Twitter about the NGSS (N = 565,283), we found that public sentiment about the NGSS is positive, with only 11 negative posts for every 100 positive posts. In contrast to findings from past research and public opinion polling on the Common Core State Standards, sentiment about the NGSS has become more positive over time--and was especially positive for teachers. We discuss what this positive sentiment may indicate about the success of the NGSS in light of opposition to the Common Core State Standards.
Descriptors: Public Opinion, Educational Change, Educational Policy, Academic Standards, Science Education, Social Media, Computer Mediated Communication, Discourse Analysis, Positive Attitudes, Negative Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A