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San Marino Unified presents recommended science, history and ELD adoptions; public review drew no comments
Summary
San Marino Unified staff presented, on March 11, recommended curriculum adoptions after year‑long pilots and committee review: STEMscopes for middle‑school science, McGraw Hill and Houghton Mifflin options for history/social science, and National Geographic LIFT for high‑school ELD.
District staff presented an informational report on March 11 recommending new curriculum adoptions for science, history/social science and high‑school English language development for implementation across grades 6–12.
The presenter summarized a year‑long adoption process that used curriculum study committees, classroom pilots, state rubric evaluations and public display time required by state law. For middle‑school science, teachers recommended STEMscopes for grades 6–8 following a pilot; committee ratings averaged 3.875 out of 5 for piloting teachers. For grades 6–8 history/social science, staff said the committee recommended McGraw HillCalifornia Impact for grade 6–8 work in some areas while noting that Huntington Middle School's sixth grade team will continue using TCI for its standards‑aligned scope and sequence. At the high school level, Houghton Mifflin (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) was recommended for history/social science, and National Geographic's LIFT was recommended for high school ELD after multiyear pilots.
Costs and recommended adoption lengths were presented by grade and course; staff told the board that materials had been on public display Jan. 14–Feb. 14 and that no public comments were received. The presenter said the item is informational tonight and will return as an action item for adoption at the March 25 board meeting.
Teacher comments captured in pilot rubrics were summarized on slides and staff said teachers generally preferred digital materials while selecting some printed student workbooks or journals where helpful for instruction. Board members asked about the apparent discrepancy between cost and rubric scores for middle‑school science; staff explained that the committee considered multiple factors beyond the rubric score when making a unanimous recommendation. A board member also asked when the public will again be able to review materials; staff said materials had already been displayed at the district office and schools and a notice was sent to families via the district messaging system.
Why it matters: Curriculum adoptions determine textbooks and digital platforms students will use and have budgetary implications. The board will take a formal adoption vote at its next meeting on March 25.
Ending: Staff will return the proposal as an action item on March 25 with recommended purchase orders and cost details for board approval.
