With the purpose of promoting the work of the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) and to facilitate collaboration around issues that the membership and the CSSS Board of Directors (Board) have identified as critical to supporting science education across all states, the Board forms ad hoc committees. Each ad hoc committee is led by at least one State Member selected by the Board and will serve as a liaison between the committee and the Board. The committee co-chairs report on committee activity to the Board and membership, on a quarterly basis. Under special circumstances, the Board may need to request an update prior to the quarterly reports. 

All members, State, Associate and Affiliate are welcome and encouraged to join an ad hoc committee. Ad hoc committees remain active as long as the committee and the Board agree that the work is a benefit to  members. New ad hoc committees can be created if a group of members has identified a new need, has specific goals and deliverables. The proposal is presented to the Board for consideration. When a committee’s work has been accomplished or when the work is no longer relevant to members, the Board can sunset the committee. 

The following is a list of current ad hoc committees. If you would like to learn more about a specific community or if you would like to join, please reach out to the co-chairs.

Access and Equity

The Access and Equity Committee is tasked with identifying research and practices that address the elements of inequity in science education. This committee plans to address achievement gaps among demographic subgroups that have persisted across time. Furthermore, the committee will explore ways that CSSS as an organization can offer viable solutions to these systemic barriers. 

This committee meets Fridays at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.

Co-Chairs	Research Partners	Board Liaison
Tonyea Mead (DE) André DeLeón (NV)	Phil Bell (U of WA) Lizette Burks (U of Houston)	Meg Richard (KS)

Assessing Science Learning

The Assessing Science Learning Committee supports state leaders in developing and providing professional learning for authentic systems of science assessment. We emphasize ideas of three-dimensional formative and summative assessments, applicable across the work of all states. In particular, we work toward assessment systems and items that can provide meaningful information about the learning of all students. CSSS Assessment Committee Resources

Co-Chairs	Research Partners	Board Liaison
Scott Roskelley (UT) Aneesha  Badrinarayan (LPI)	Aneesha  Badrinarayan (LPI)	Michael Heinz (NJ)

Climate Change Education

The ad-hoc Climate Change Education committee works to support equitable climate change education. The committee has leveraged partnerships with several organizations to provide professional learning and instructional resources.  Climate Change Education Resources.

Co-Chairs	Research Partners	Board Liaison
Peter McLaren (Associate - RI) Maya Garcia (CO)	Deb L. Morrison (U. of Washington)	Jamie Rumage (OR)

Professional Learning

The Professional Learning Committee works to identify research and practices that help professional development providers design and implement high quality, sustained professional learning opportunities for educators and to provide guidance to state and local leaders about broad criteria they can apply to evaluate professional development plans and activities.  The Science Professional Learning Standards (CSSS, 2018) are now published on the CSSS resources page. 

Co-Chairs	Research Partners	Board Liaison
Rae McEntyre (KY) Brett Moulding (Associate - UT)	Bill Penuel (CU-Boulder)	April McCrae (DE)

Supporting Elementary Science

This committee will focus on work that is inherently cross disciplinary and supports effective science instruction for all learners in elementary systems. This includes, but is not limited to, literacy in science, mathematics, and ELA, as well as resources to broadly support and advocate for elementary science. 

Supporting Elementary Science Committee Resources

Co-Chairs	Research Partners	Board Liaison
Amber McCulloch (Associate - WA)   Kathy Renfrew (Associate - MA) Kimberley Astle (WA)	Carla Zembal-Saul (Penn State)	Meg Richard (KS)

Technology and Digital Communications

The Technology and Digital Communications Committee assists the board of directors and membership in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to the overall role of technology in executing the mission and vision of the organization.

Co-Chair	Board Liaison
Brian Caine (TN)  Keith Crandall (GA)	Michele Snyder (AR)