[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6304729,"mediaKeyId","2454695-b6a3bdd7fb2505004c816f1c1526251d","parentId",2454695,"title","Lawndale pilots Amplify and Discovery science curricula; parents review materials and raise implementation questions","audioSeconds",2718,"startMs",2048000,"endMs",4766000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454695-b6a3bdd7fb2505004c816f1c1526251d&start=2048&end=4766","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454695-b6a3bdd7fb2505004c816f1c1526251d/thumbnail_2048000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6304729/California/Lawndale-pilots-Amplify-and-Discovery-science-curricula-parents-review-materials-and-raise-implementation-questions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304729-2feaf15dfd5f8437c4aa8900f836cc9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965865&Signature=LvZD7ShK8QHotpP1wGLsqfPQulh2Lk~WwNSZ4gzlEfGLmspZQCeWKf5s1Esuylhj~FLL2DDSjs1RoGIOfbLrCL2Ch75XryivrakQSq9q0bDSmrEWz8Gksk06cmxoSZ6iceQlIqPad1rgOu6PEBTlv-uJEkdM8q7ttIdBaunb5rTt7TYXH2Llv5SckkrNMaip3uh4yl8yS3zEPVUfSrnNqvqkcDd71ObYRGUapWBU2XTFrXhgJAvQ9T68WliDVnDEBjURF~aS1KP0X1wtxr94yBl3WkEo6FaffihdJED1dw-SBAu7FW9FaBBReIpTKBFZFUJK1fBIh~tUCLXJCKcl7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lawndale Elementary","date","2025-02-28T22:16:32Z","article","Teresa Jones, district coordinator, presented two science curriculum options at the DPack family engagement meeting and invited parents to trial materials and submit feedback: Amplify Science and Discovery Education. \"Los dos programas han sido diseñados con base en el programa NGSS,\" Jones said, referring to the Next Generation Science Standards alignment for both vendors.

The district is piloting the two curricula to replace an older, out-of-date program and to move beyond supplements such as Mystery Science. Jones said pilots are running in selected grades (kindergarten, third and fifth) this school year; one grade (fourth) currently has no volunteer teacher for the pilot. The pilot's minimum instructional expectation is roughly one hour, two times per week, but teachers may adapt the cadence: some are teaching as often as five times per week for one hour.

Amplify Science was described as teacher- and student-facing with small printed readers, student research notebooks and hands-on kits (the district circulated \"bolsos\"/kits to parents for preview). Discovery Education offers a digital library, videos drawn from the Discovery channel archives, and consumable student tech-books that students can take home; Discovery organizes three to five units per grade and provides a large virtual library of multimedia. Both vendors provide English and Spanish materials and resources for multilingual students; Jones said translations were presented as human-reviewed rather than purely machine translated.

Parents and teachers praised both options for different reasons. Several parents said Amplify's small printed readers and hands-on kits were a good fit for early elementary students, while others said Discovery's digital materials and documentary content may better prepare students for later grades. Concerns raised included the frequency of piloting at some grades, the absence of a fourth-grade pilot volunteer, the cost and logistics of kits, and the need to ensure clear translations and teacher training so materials do not cause confusion (a reference to past math materials problems was cited).

Jones said the pilot will inform a formal adoption recommendation but no adoption vote was taken at the meeting. She said that if the district adopts a new curriculum it will replace the current core science program and not simply supplement it; Mystery Science and other supplements would no longer be the primary resource. Parents were encouraged to submit concrete examples in their feedback to help the adoption team evaluate usability and translation quality.

The district did not make a decision during the meeting; staff said teachers currently participating in pilots will continue testing materials and that a later adoption recommendation will follow pilot evaluation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Reunión de DPAC - 2/26/25","oneSentenceSummary","District coordinator Teresa Jones presented a pilot comparing Amplify Science and Discovery Education for elementary grades; parents tested materials, raised questions about translations, kits, grade coverage and scheduling; the district will use pilot feedback to inform adoption decisions.","taxTitle","Lawndale Elementary, School Districts, California","taxId",55363,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304734,"Lawndale meeting explains GATE identification, classroom supports and parent concerns",1540,489000,2029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2454695-b6a3bdd7fb2505004c816f1c1526251d&start=489&end=2029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2454695-b6a3bdd7fb2505004c816f1c1526251d/thumbnail_489000.jpg","/articles/6304734/California/Lawndale-meeting-explains-GATE-identification-classroom-supports-and-parent-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304734-8463a7ca2129306b52b4aeadb67470d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965865&Signature=ghjYhsDMccGYEIiIJI4O3F7P1dfMiazik62NEgvrwiLDgBZ1hyYnD-ur3mDrofJxhXE5j5lXccDjwFjoxjRUoH2RosjwLg~fZxtXQcPxYNd3qK~p5~uUFT1CDMaZ2~iwkAViW57s0jJZKx99-V-uEnikuegGgbV1bKHSUl5v2R0fSoY~3WUIeBmFr-n6j2VWXrOR0h5412d9KlBh0oFXXTYpGhU1xV1G-HhAOQ5g1jAdCKpsOqYG5L~7fztE-5PjfWnzNepyyhvGzau7g3Og96nw7GK0BJZyzKhfRA6FNIt-yATtzrldoiGNmF2eIfNVeYe-gKGIPrIje1A8nP9vsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tracy Pomilia, assistant superintendent for educational services, told attendees at a DPack family engagement meeting that Lawndale identifies students for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program locally and provides classroom differentiation and voluntary enrichment for identified students. \"La aptitud o elegibilidad ocurre acá en nuestro distrito, y la manera en la cual Londale identifica a los estudiantes como giftid, como talentosos,\" Pomilia said.

The topic matters because identification affects which students are offered differentiated classroom work, specialized pacing, and optional after-school enrichment. Pomilia said identification is meant to prompt differentiated instruction rather than segregated seating or labeling: \"No le van a poner un tatuaje o un emblema para que todos sepan que ellos son talentosos.\" She described classroom strategies including differentiated questioning, small-group work, an in-class \"genius hour\" for independent projects, and voluntary after-school clubs aligned to STEM and other interests.

Pomilia described how identification is handled across grade levels: students typically take assessments in third grade that contribute to eligibility, but teachers in kindergarten and first grade may advance students who demonstrate readiness. She noted social and developmental needs can require individualized plans: teachers may prioritize social skills or maturity as well as academic challenge. Parents asked about early-grade identification and what happens when more than one sibling in a home is identified; Pomilia said decisions are individualized and coordinated between teacher and parent.

Parents raised two recurring concerns. First, several parents urged that differentiated, passion-based projects be available to all students, not only those in GATE. Second, multiple commenters noted teacher workload late in the fall can make consistent differentiation difficult; Pomilia said the district offers additional professional learning and a new certification pathway for teachers to deepen GATE-specific instruction. Pomilia summarized district-level rates: \"Estamos yendo hacia un seis por ciento alrededor de distrito y estamos en más o menos cinco por ciento ahora,\" and added that site-level (per-school) percentages were not available at the meeting.

No formal motions or votes were taken on GATE policy during the session. Pomilia and DPack leaders said parent feedback from the meeting will be included in the district's ongoing planning for GATE identification, teacher supports, and enrichment offerings.

Parents and staff were encouraged to view the meeting recording and to follow up with school teachers or DPack representatives for individualized questions about a student's placement or an individual education plan.","District assistant superintendent Tracy Pomilia outlined how Lawndale identifies students for the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, the classroom and after-school services available, and parent concerns about teacher capacity and equitable access; no formal policy decisions were made.","actionData","errors"]

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Lawndale pilots Amplify and Discovery science curricula; parents review materials and raise implementation questions

Lawndale meeting explains GATE identification, classroom supports and parent concerns