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Benicia Unified adopts multiple high-school curriculum updates, including AP and NGSS courses
Summary
The board approved updates and adoptions for several high-school curricula on June 17: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics 1, NGSS Biology, Integrated 9 Science and Physiology. The district will continue using College Board AP frameworks and teacher-curated NGSS-aligned materials.
The Benicia Unified School District Governing Board on June 17 approved a package of high-school curriculum updates covering Advanced Placement (AP) courses and district-curated NGSS-aligned classes.
Director of Education Services Stephanie Rice presented seven curriculum adoptions and updates. AP courses — Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science and Physics 1 — use College Board’s AP course frameworks and digital materials tied to the AP exam. Rice told the board the AP materials are digital and accessible through students’ College Board accounts and that updates from College Board do not impose additional district charges.
The board also approved updated NGSS Biology materials that staff and teachers curated after regional training and collaboration with Alameda County resources; Rice said teachers authored many lessons to emphasize crosscutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas and science-and-engineering practices. The board approved Integrated 9 (formerly NGSS Physics of the Universe) and an elective Physiology course developed and updated by district high-school teachers.
Trustees asked about laboratory capability for AP Chemistry; Rice said the district supplements hands-on labs with virtual labs as needed and that science teachers annually review lab needs. All curriculum items were moved, seconded and passed by voice vote with no opposition.
Rice said one additional high-school science course will be returned in August because a lead teacher was on paternity leave and still wanted to finalize materials.
Quotes used in this article are taken verbatim from the meeting record.
