- Currently Tested Essential Elements for Science
lists of PDFs for each Essential Element available for assessment. These PDFs provide the nodes at each linkage level and a mini-map that shows the pathways between the nodes - Development of DLM Essential Elements for Science (pdf)
a short description of how Essential Elements in science were developed - Essential Elements for Science (pdf)
* General Science Blueprint Phase I (pdf)
pool of available preliminary Essential Elements (EEs) for Science* Science Blueprint Phase I with Biology – DE, DC, and MD Only (pdf)
pool of available preliminary Essential Elements (EEs), including High School Biology, for Science- Using Mini-Maps to Plan Instruction (pdf)
Includes an example ELA mini-map to illustrate the features and uses of mini-maps for ELA, mathematics, and science
Instructional Resources for YE Model States
Looking for resources for your state? Go to your state's page directly:
Does my state use the IE or YE model?
The instructional resources on this page are for states using the Year-End model.
An asterisk (
Important notice for states that assess Science: The 2025–2026 school year is a transition year for DLM science. The two science tabs below are included to help with this transition.
- The "Science" tab contains the original set of science Essential Elements, which are used for the spring 2026 operational assessment testlets
- Go to the "Science - Spring 2027" tab for the revised and expanded set of science Essential Elements, which will be the bases for the testlets in the embedded science field test in spring 2026 and the operational science testlets in the spring 2027 DLM Science Alternate Assessment.