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Board replaces recommended elementary and middle school science texts with STEMScopes and defers AP Psychology
Summary
After hours of debate the board voted to adopt STEMScopes for K2 through 8 and to remove AP Psychology from the committees recommended list for further consideration.
The Williamson County School Board on Monday revised the textbook adoption committees recommendation and selected Accelerate Learnings STEMScopes for kindergarten through grade 8 science, then voted to remove AP Psychology from the committees recommended list and defer a final choice.
The board amended the committees recommendation to substitute STEMScopes for the previously recommended Savvas (K2 and grades 3 5) and for McGraw Hill (grades 6 8). "I saw a clear difference ... and that was STEM SCOPE science," Board member Claire Reeves said while moving the amendment, adding that she had reviewed evidence of student gains tied to STEMScopes. The amendment passed 8-2 with one abstention.
The adoption meeting included extended debate over digital integration and evidence of learning outcomes. Several board members and staff emphasized that all state-approved options include hands-on, phenomenon-based lessons and consumable print materials; district staff said publishers also offer digital supplements but that teachers should begin with standards and instructional strategy before choosing technology. "Our tech integration philosophy is that we start with the instructional standard," Assistant Superintendent Brian Allen said.
Board members then addressed an AP Psychology textbook that drew community attention. A motion to replace the committees recommended Myers text with Cengage failed 2-9. The board subsequently voted 7-3 with one abstention to remove AP Psychology from the packet and take it up again at a later meeting, allowing more time for review and public feedback. When the board took its final vote on the remainder of the adoption package (as amended to include STEMScopes for K2through 8 and minus the AP Psychology recommendation), the motion passed 9-2.
Superintendent Golden and curriculum staff said the district will proceed with procurement and teacher training under the adopted schedule; staff noted that textbook availability and publisher delivery timelines can be tight and advised that delays can reduce the time available for teacher planning before the next school year. Curriculum staff also said several publishers supplied research reports, but only STEMScopes carried an Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) "Tier 2" designation among the options discussed.
Board members who opposed the K2through 8 switch cited the volume of classroom teacher recommendations favoring other titles and urged caution, while supporters pointed to peer-reviewed studies and pilot results showing gains in some districts. The AP Psychology item will return to the board for consideration at a later meeting.
Votes taken during the textbook discussion changed the committees recommendations for K2through 8 and for the AP Psychology slot; the board asked staff to finalize purchasing plans and to provide timelines for classroom roll-out and teacher training.
