[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6055947,"mediaKeyId","3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5","parentId",3313468,"title","North Penn SD curriculum team previews new Pennsylvania science standards, emphasizes phenomenon-based learning","audioSeconds",321,"startMs",100000,"endMs",421000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5&start=100&end=421","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5/thumbnail_100000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6055947/Pennsylvania/North-Penn-SD-curriculum-team-previews-new-Pennsylvania-science-standards-emphasizes-phenomenon-based-learning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055947-b5796fe3310dcff50f3de28282feb1c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770737503&Signature=bWW96Xt0WJaNl29nA~km2CumB55ePuKqclV43gY5YqW~5eGvvG9ynWymcmT4XtqzfRLnAYBqklAFh8r~RUIW-1Q0T-PtqkUq~20KkaL09gzENemcG~FvQTO5iQVmvBV~lMPEJg6Ajc9E17oyklMMWlv61PBqsp3aSw2ig~WJjClg2qt7iPckX93TGyCobmD-VS0j8YJbq6QWlexKuZwHzfXZXWWVJ11cMeLP-0DqwRDND6uO2R9ch~gf8ZYmrMjCdOtArMp46MdZVeai1pe4HSeg7SD5z9bkH3YYeXsltogMGrBWy7fmvxVutqLoFpyWaaUuD-QuKUNiyepzJilE0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Penn School District","date","2025-05-14T10:52:31Z","article","The North Penn School District curriculum department briefed the ECI committee on the state'adopted Pennsylvania science standards and how the district will align instruction ahead of the July 1, 2025, implementation date.

Donna Doan and Dr. Sean Arnie, curriculum department presenters, told the committee the standards (described in the presentation as the \"steel standards,\" and modeled on the Next Generation Science Standards) shift classroom practice from memorization to sense-making, embed environmental literacy and sustainability, and add engineering and cross-cutting concepts across grade levels. \"The steel standards which, science, technology, engineering, environmental literacy, and sustainability are Pennsylvania's new science standards which will be going into effect, 07/01/2025,\" Dr. Arnie said.

The new approach emphasizes phenomenon-based learning: lessons begin with observable events or problems that students investigate and explain over multiple lessons and grades. Doan said the district can continue to use its existing FOSS kits as the core curriculum and will supplement them with Mystery Science and Generation Genius to add engineering lessons and faster, video-based phenomena presentation.

Committee members pressed for details on elementary scheduling and resource impacts. Member Michael Fusco asked how often elementary teachers deliver science and whether hands-on investigations fit into class time; Doan answered that kindergarten typically has 30 minutes for science/social studies/SEL, grades 1'\u0004 about 40 minutes, and grades 5'\u0006 (departmentalized) around 75 minutes per day, and that teachers typically teach science about 40 percent of the year. Doan said each elementary grade uses three FOSS modules (one life, one physical, one earth and space), and the district is supplementing with online materials to reduce setup/tear-down time for hands-on investigations.

When asked about cost, Dr. Arnie said the district did not need to buy a full new core because FOSS aligns with NGSS and supplements are relatively inexpensive: \"we do not have to, spend a significant amount of money,\" he said, adding that over time the district expects some savings by using existing kits with online supplements.

The presenters credited a K'\u00012 science committee of more than 25 teachers who participated in six full-day professional learning sessions led by the Da Vinci Center. Doan said a Mystery Science training session for staff was scheduled for May 20 and that professional development would continue into next year as teachers shift practices.

At the end of the meeting, public commenter Jason Lanier of Lansdale criticized language in the district vision and the standards, saying the wording conflated \"equitable\" and \"equal\" opportunity and warning the shift might prioritize social goals over content mastery. Lanier said, \"it's like you talk about education going to being for something of scientific interest to finally in the future being about student advocacy and justice.\" Committee members and administrators responded that equity in schools refers to providing appropriate supports so students with differing needs can access the curriculum.

Next steps identified in the presentation included continued professional development (May 20 and ongoing), piloting Mystery Science this year, and a phased rollout aligned to the July 1, 2025, state effective date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","NPSD School Board - Education, Curriculum & Policy Meeting 5-13-25","oneSentenceSummary","The North Penn School District curriculum department briefed the ECI committee on the state'adopted Pennsylvania science standards and how the district will align instruction ahead of the July 1, 2025, implementation date.","taxTitle","North Penn SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",14588,"location","Pennsylvania","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},6055932,"Committee advances Turnitin RFP to action; members discuss AI detection and student instruction",127,3113000,3240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5&start=3113&end=3240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5/thumbnail_3113000.jpg","/articles/6055932/Pennsylvania/Committee-advances-Turnitin-RFP-to-action-members-discuss-AI-detection-and-student-instruction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055932-1d423f7ee68ae54ce028b92000a809bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770737503&Signature=CIGjor-jbmVYqmPdpOP3pwQYE4pkzCU~2chJ9lKVOCNE9~DcwCxN7QOfzY8pDwVBHthHABrMObM40i-N7b~rwkqfiDOSho~OIQBzhNEJdg4mVZGIhNrbBhU6WNImiCFwMleE3TGwPbdEtkEACpriuDxplAP2QapBinHDQi8kSFjNurpiF2lSXs6nxbvlIgq0ivzVwNJnVMRo3GqjJcVY8ioLvo0Ul3u4bK5trrmJsz4Ui-1rqW3j3itrINpGRj6~BiVUE-v-49g0nkuvKyS1Nqm5ZYiPQzu6l7hFSrT7W32MUcmbQwUc87p2YTFyS5i8b21d7AGZ2EKIWM0S7DWJnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff asked the ECI committee to advance a recommendation to the board to award a plagiarism-software contract to the current vendor, Turnitin, and the committee approved moving the RFP award to the action meeting.

Presenters said Turnitin met district needs, provides teacher-level data and includes tools to detect content generated by artificial intelligence. A committee member described Turnitin's output in practical terms: it can estimate a percentage likelihood that a piece of writing was generated by AI and show similarity reports; another committee member who had used the tool at the college level described seeing a percentage \"human\" estimate.

Committee discussion emphasized that detection alone is not enough; members urged district-wide instruction on how students should use AI as a research and drafting tool rather than as a substitute for student-authored work. Dr. Hart and other administrators said departments such as humanities are already discussing guidelines and that district technology staff and teacher leaders have provided professional learning sessions; the presenters described plans to expand training and set common expectations for students before the fall term.

A motion to move the plagiarism-software RFP to the board action agenda was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The committee did not adopt specific policy language during the meeting; members directed staff to continue developing training and guidance for teachers and students and to place the Turnitin contract award on the upcoming board action docket.","The ECI committee voted to send a recommendation to the board to continue with the current plagiarism vendor (Turnitin). Committee members discussed Turnitin's AI-detection capabilities and emphasized the need for district-wide instruction on appropriate and ethical student use of AI tools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6055937,"ECI committee moves student travel requests to board action for summer conferences",55,3025000,3080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5&start=3025&end=3080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5/thumbnail_3025000.jpg","/articles/6055937/Pennsylvania/ECI-committee-moves-student-travel-requests-to-board-action-for-summer-conferences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055937-7ca9d0bf024eca20140faaba0d2b697d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770737503&Signature=WmsOk8qSUpclGhoydSonPDq4RXA7yL9oFF5nlAzP5vbVPQHBgX959uxC2tB7RdrtsPy-Y1jPm4Ese22-EPdWssgF7SvaZYlnMvaI6n7SRwlKPfUxMEmDlce-Tb4r0TaEuqNi5euuyamrg57Gavth2btXVGaayCl4c~ijcD9-hxDjVneH--0KEsRSAIX1HFvnKs3tgLCJYka0XBGtJM8BclruZy8wjyR6fycFdwtkyrFX4SHKonIaGLPzWGYsdHQSFdz5nsuYqacbIZP51LrgMLcOhl8AfLNTo02vCSzdgKOjiQ6T8aeIWA8I~twnaJTtcdvTpdmCPtFo6uiiiPzcHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The ECI committee voted to move three student travel requests to the district board action meeting for final approval.

The items presented were: three North Penn High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) students and three chaperones to an international leadership conference at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville (dates presented in meeting record as June 19 through the 22nd); approximately 28 students from Pembroke (Technology Student Association) to the Technology Student Association national competition at the Gaylord (presented as June 27'July 1); and one Future Business Leaders of America student and a staff chaperone to the FBLA national competition in Anaheim, California (presented as June 28'July 3).

A committee member moved the student travel item, a second was recorded, and the chair called the vote. \"All in favor? Aye. Motion passes,\" the chair said; the committee did not record individual roll-call votes on the record.","The ECI committee voted to move three student travel requests to the board action meeting: North Penn High School HOSA to Nashville, a Technology Student Association group to a national conference, and a Future Business Leaders of America student to Anaheim. The committee approved moving the items forward unanimously.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6055942,"North Penn SD special education leaders outline expanded continuum, clerical plan edits and training",454,1543000,1997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5&start=1543&end=1997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3313468-80ffcf72d76c7a1742e0407aab49f5a5/thumbnail_1543000.jpg","/articles/6055942/Pennsylvania/North-Penn-SD-special-education-leaders-outline-expanded-continuum-clerical-plan-edits-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6055942-a6b004e912126473139b70e6e3b9b725/orig.mp4?Expires=1770737503&Signature=JX3W~WDTxzJ9j0x3C~6a2kHiQaFFsUgNC7PjMt23Egepkli9lOJB8Cp8tsUIj0tXUPLn6LniTobDcZMuof75Sl56uLllubTiadW4yOYlel1~4S3GTFEG4sWPAmreciFgGbErg~40MN1pXM4M8xYizb-CcESHAl7~FgrY8ZCZIAreyPzi6~mMf0rC-WGn~aY7DdSLWYfnF3LXdMx499Gm6BYVCsOD7zNTq~tnVNP1fa6gyX6JHXERsWflhDEB8VYqth-EcOowrbS8kQ8Fys3kDM4IIaaPSvdjw8-mGrmto-RJMgilGBj~4v2uEo6u3gbAYWa6Uo2hBEY0JueRalxtiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Kuchler and Dr. Bolden presented an overview of the North Penn School District's special education program for the 2024''2025 school year, describing staffing, curriculum alignment, professional development and plans to expand services and facilities.

Dr. Kuchler told the committee that the district's special education plan—approved last July—includes a workable professional development schedule but contains clerical errors caused by auto-populated entries; the presenters said they have discussed edits with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and will update the plan on the district website within about a month. \"We spoke with the Pennsylvania Department of Ed, and they suggested that we just inform our community here as we're doing. And then we'll, put the updated plan, back up onto our website when that's complete,\" Dr. Kuchler said.

Presenters highlighted the year'long professional learning series for special education staff, including training for supervisors, BCBAs, paraprofessionals and RBTs, and asynchronous learning used on snow days. For elementary services they described a deliberate effort to ensure a continuum of supports: teams will designate case managers in each school for students with social, emotional and behavioral needs, and the district will ensure a teacher is available to deliver full-block ELA or math instruction in a special-education setting when a team recommends it.

On numbers, presenters said district elementary leadership indicated roughly 19 specialized elementary classrooms across three categories (emotional support, life-skills/MDS, and autistic support); presenters specified \"2 emotional support classrooms, 1 life skills MDS classroom, and then the rest are autistic support classrooms.\" At the secondary level they reported the district serves more than 1,200 students with nearly 100 special-education teachers and 17 specialized classrooms across middle and high school buildings.

The district has updated curriculum resources for specialized classrooms and required training for staff who support students taking state alternate assessments (PASA/DLM); presenters said the updates include academic and daily-living/soft-skill curriculum components and that the district has enhanced its student transition processes (elementary'to'middle and middle'to'high).

On facilities and programming, Dr. Bolden said the district is planning to create equitable sensory rooms across the three middle schools using grant funding and to provide staff training and coaching; the goal is to have rooms operational sometime in the next school year. Special-education administrators also said they are participating in planning meetings with architects on the new high-school design to ensure classroom placement and supports align with program needs.

Committee members asked for clarification on counts and program placement, and presenters acknowledged some on-the-spot number clarifications during the meeting. There were no formal votes during the update; presenters requested continued committee support for training and facility planning.","Special education leaders reported to the ECI committee on the 2024''2025 special education plan, additional professional development, expanded elementary and secondary service continuums, and facility and transition work. They said clerical edits to the approved special education plan will be posted after consultation with the Pennsylvania ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

North Penn SD curriculum team previews new Pennsylvania science standards, emphasizes phenomenon-based learning

Committee advances Turnitin RFP to action; members discuss AI detection and student instruction

ECI committee moves student travel requests to board action for summer conferences

North Penn SD special education leaders outline expanded continuum, clerical plan edits and training