Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the K 12 Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews final phase of high school science curriculum and dual-enrollment additions
Summary
District staff presented the final phase of a multi-year science curriculum update that adds dual-enrollment anatomy & physiology with UW–Milwaukee, consolidates earth/space offerings, and recommends new primary resources; estimated primary resource and lab costs are about $67,780.
Elmbrook School District staff recommended adoption of the final phase of high school science curriculum updates, including the addition of a dual-enrollment anatomy and physiology course through UW–Milwaukee and the adoption of new primary instructional resources for biology, chemistry and earth/space courses.
Why it matters: The proposed changes aim to align high-school science instruction to three-dimensional standards-based instruction (phenomena-driven lessons, crosscutting concepts and scientific practices), expand college-credit opportunity locally and modernize older textbooks and materials cited as out of date.
What was proposed - Anatomy & Physiology: Two district teachers completed UW–Milwaukee credentialing; the district proposes offering the course for dual enrollment with the university. Administration said a new primary resource would be required for students taking the course for college credit. - Course consolidations and renames: The board packet recommended replacing separate geology and astronomy/meteorology offerings with an Earth & Space Science course, and retitling Marine Biology to Aquatic Biology to include freshwater topics. - Courses recommended for rescindment: Project Lead The Way biomedical courses (Biomedical Innovations and Medical Interventions) were recommended for rescission after five-year low-enrollment trends. - Instructional materials: Two course resources would be purchased through McGraw Hill (biology/physiology and chemistry) and two free resources would be adopted for honors biology (storylines) and Earth & Space Science. Administration estimated the total primary-resource and lab supply cost at about $67,780.
Board discussion and equity questions Trustees praised the alignment to standards and teacher work. Board members asked how dual‑enrollment texts and fees would be handled and whether students taking college credit through WCTC or other partners would receive equivalent textbook support; administrators said the district provides primary resources for district-offered dual-enrollment courses and will follow up with details on Start College Now or WCTC arrangements.
Next steps Administrators said the curriculum and resource decisions will return for formal board action (as scheduled) after review of any remaining cost and equity details; staff noted most curricular changes are already in practice and that the new resources primarily codify and support teacher-created materials.
Ending Administrators described the revisions as the last phase of a multi-year curricular rollout that previously covered elementary, middle and AP courses; the board thanked teachers and administrators for the layered review and asked for final cost clarifications and confirmation of textbook support for different dual-enrollment pathways.
