Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.4.1.CS:
Emphasis is on a conceptual understanding of the role each line of ev idence has relating to common ancestry and biological ev olution. Examples of evidence could include similarities in DNA sequences, anatomical structures, and order of appeara

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP8.1:
Communicate scientific and technical information the process of development and the design and performance of a proposed process or system) in multiple formats (including orally, graphically, textually, and mathematically).

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.4.1.DCI:
LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity •Genetic information provides evidence of evolution. DNA sequences vary among species, but there are many overlaps; in fact, the ongoing branching that produces multiple lines of descent can be inferred by comparing the DNA sequences of different organisms. Such inform ation is also derivable from the similarities and differences in amino acid sequences and from anatomical and embryological evidence.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC1.13:
Different patterns may be observed at each of the scales at which a system is studied and can provide evidence for causality in explanations of phenomena.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.4.2.CS:
Emphasis is on using evidence to explain the influence each of the four factors has on number of organisms, behaviors, morphology , or physiology in terms of ability to compete for limited resources and subsequent survival of individuals and da

Assessment Boundary - S.HS.LS.4.2.AB:
Assessment does not include other mechanisms of evolution, such as genetic drift, gene flow through migration, and co-evolution.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP6.2:
Construct and revise an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the na

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.4.2.DCI:
LS4.B: Natural Selection •Natural selection occurs only if there is both (1) variation in the genetic information between organisms in a population and (2) variation in the expression of that genetic information—that is, trait variation—that leads to differences in performance among individuals. LS4.C: Adaptation •Evolution is a consequence of the interaction of four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2) the genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for an environment’s limited supply of the resources that individuals need in order to survive and reproduce, and (4) the ensuing proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in that environment.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.8:
Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.4.3.CS:
Emphasis is on analyzing shifts in numerical distribution of traits and using these shifts as evidence to support explanations.

Assessment Boundary - S.HS.LS.4.3.AB:
Assessment is limited to basic statistical and graphical analysis. Assessment does not include allele frequency calculations.

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP4.2:
Apply concepts of statistics and probability (including determining function fits to data, slope, intercept, and correlation coefficient for linear fits) to scientific and engineering questions and problems, using digital tools when feasible.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.4.3.DCI:
LS4.B: Natural Selection •Natural selection occurs only if there is both (1) variation in the genetic information between organisms in a population and (2) variation in the expression of that genetic information—that is, trait variation—that leads to differences in performance among individuals. •The traits that positively affect survival are more likely to be reproduced, and thus are more common in the population LS4.C: Adaptation •Natural selection leads to adaptation, that is, to a population dominated by organisms that are anatomically, behaviorally, and physiologically well suited to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. That is, the differential survival and reproduction of organisms in a population that have an advantageous heritable trait leads to an increase in the proportion of individuals in future generations that have the trait and to a decrease in the proportion of individuals that do not. •Adaptation also means that the distribution of traits in a population can change when conditions change.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC1.13:
Different patterns may be observed at each of the scales at which a system is studied and can provide evidence for causality in explanations of phenomena.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.4.4.CS:
Emphasis is on using data to provide evidence for how specific biotic and abiotic differences in ecosy stems (such as ranges of seasonal temperature, long-term climate change, acidity , light, geographic barriers, or evolution of other organisms)

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP6.2:
Construct and revise an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the na

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.4.4.DCI:
LS4.C: Adaptation •Natural selection leads to adaptation, that is, to a population dominated by organisms that are anatomically, behaviorally, and physiologically well suited to survive and reproduce in a specific environment. That is, the differential survival and reproduction of organisms in a population that have an advantageous heritable trait leads to an increase in the proportion of individuals in future generations that have the trait and to a decrease in the proportion of individuals that do not.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.8:
Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.

Clarification Statement - S.HS.LS.4.5.CS:
Emphasis is on determining cause and effect relationships for how changes to the environment such as deforestation, fishing, application of fertilizers, drought, flood, and the rate of change of the environment affect distribution or disappea

Science and Engineering Practices - 9-12.SEP7.2:
Evaluate the evidence behind currently accepted explanations or solutions to determine the merits of arguments.

Disciplinary Core Ideas - S.HS.LS.4.5.DCI:
LS4.C: Adaptation •Changes in the physical environment, whether naturally occurring or human induced, have thus contributed to the expansion of some species, the emergence of new distinct species as populations diverge under different conditions, and the decline–and sometimes the extinction–of some species. •Species become extinct because they can no longer survive and reproduce in their altered environment. If members cannot adjust to change that is too fast or drastic, the opportunity for the species’ evolution is lost.

Crosscutting Concepts - CC2.8:
Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make claims about specific causes and effects.