The change of scientific paradigms requires the participants of the scientific and pedagogical process to actively search for ways to solve important pedagogical tasks. The study presents an analysis of the situation of the development of functional literacy of students in chemistry lessons within the framework of a shortened training program. At the same time, in relation to the subject of chemistry, the problem of the development of natural science literacy is considered in detail. In the course of the study, the scientific works of foreign and Kazakhstani scientists on the designated problem were studied, on the basis of which conclusions were drawn about the need to use the potential of the activity methodology. This need is dictated by the observed transformation of the system of education and upbringing of the Republic of Kazakhstan. We are convinced that the development of this problem is relevant for solving the issue of scientific substantiation of the development of functional literacy of students, which is the key to the readiness of the individual to live in a changing reality. Functional literacy is stated as an important component of the basic competencies of the individual. Improving the level of functional literacy is one of the key tasks of the system of general secondary education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The analysis of the content of normative documents regulating the system of general secondary education in terms of ensuring the results of training for the development of functional literacy in terms of its component of natural science literacy in chemistry lessons within the framework of a shortened training program makes it possible to determine the main trends in the planning of the educational process in this direction. Along with this, the important methodological problem of finding ways and means of assessing the development of natural science competence of students in chemistry lessons is being solved.