There was an update today (3/7/11) on the status of the Conceptual Framework for the New Science Education Standards. This framework will be used by the writing team when new national science standards are created.

UPDATE (as of 3/7/2011)
The revised Framework report is undergoing a confidential external review by a group of independent experts selected by the National Research Council. The report will be released once it has cleared this rigorous external review process. At this point, we anticipate releasing the Framework to the public in late spring 2011.  We will notify people on this project website if there is a delay.

I will pass on updates as I hear more.