Board adopts New Mexico STEMScopes for K-6 science after yearlong review

The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt New Mexico STEMScopes as the district's elementary science instructional materials for the next adoption cycle.

Joy Morales, the district's executive director of elementary curriculum and instruction, told the board the recommendation followed a year of committee work with teachers, instructional coaches and specialists. "Out of 5, we initially narrowed it down to these top 2, New Mexico STEMScopes and Amplify Science," Morales said. The committee's final teacher vote favored STEMScopes by an 89% margin.

Why it matters: The adoption will provide new student journals, hands-on kits and online resources districtwide. Morales said the materials come with professional development and that the district must ensure funding to procure kits and refills.

Vote and next steps Board member Jessica Tyler made the motion to approve the elementary materials and Jeff Morgan seconded. The board took a roll-call vote: the motion carried 5-0.

Clarifying details - Adoption cycle: materials intended to guide instruction for the next seven-year cycle. - Cost noted in the presentation: the elementary adoption was described in the meeting as part of a roughly $2,000,000 package (district and refill costs over the cycle); the district indicated it will rely on state adoption funding but may need to supplement if state allocations are insufficient.

Ending The board thanked the teachers and curriculum staff for the extensive review. The district will proceed with purchase planning and seek state reimbursement for adopted materials where applicable.