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District committee recommends McGraw Hill, National Geographic and other publishers for K–12 science materials
Summary
A Citrus County Schools committee presented recommended K–12 science instructional materials—largely state‑approved titles from McGraw Hill, National Geographic, Savas Learning and others—and said the district will present final adoption at a later meeting.
The Citrus County Schools science instructional‑materials review committee presented its recommendations for K–12 science materials and described a review process that followed Florida Statute 1006.28.
Committee process and standards Committee members included science teachers, parents and community members, the presenter said. The committee reviewed only materials that the state of Florida had already approved for K–12 classrooms; the panel applied a second level of local vetting to judge appropriateness for the district’s students and community.
Recommended core materials (committee’s first and second choices) - Elementary (K–5): McGraw Hill Florida Science (first choice). - Middle school Comprehensive Science 1–3: McGraw Hill Florida Science series as first choice; Discovery Education as a second choice for certain courses. - High school Biology: Savas Learning Company, Florida Miller & Levine Experience Biology (first choice); National Geographic Learning (second choice). - AP Biology: Bedford Freeman Worth, Biology for the AP Course (first choice); National Geographic Learning (second choice). - Chemistry & AP Chemistry: McGraw Hill (first choice for Chemistry I and AP Chemistry); National Geographic options were listed as second choices for several chemistry and environmental titles. - Environmental Science and AP Environmental Science: Savas Florida Environmental Science (first choice) and Bedford Freeman Worth (AP) among other second choices. - Physics and AP Physics: PASCO Essential Physics and McGraw Hill Florida Physics (choices), with Cengage and Pearson titles referenced for AP courses. - Forensics, Anatomy & Physiology, Astronomy, Marine Science, Earth & Space Science and Physical Science: Committee listed first/only choices (several National Geographic and McGraw Hill titles) and second choices where available.
Why it matters District staff said the committee’s recommendations are intended to give teachers vetted, standards‑aligned materials while providing flexibility (a first and second choice for many courses) so the district can pivot to an alternative if issues arise after adoption. The presenter said the recommended materials are all either on the state’s approved list or, for AP/elective courses, are established AP or publisher materials.
Board action The presentation was informational; the committee asked for approval at the next regular meeting. The presenter invited questions and confirmed that the recommended core materials had been vetted and were on the Florida Department of Education’s preapproved list where applicable.
