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Upper Dublin SD pilots FOSS science, advances ELA and math renewals and explores kindergarten screening model
Summary
Curriculum staff outlined an elementary FOSS science pilot with a May evaluation and an estimated multi-year implementation cost of about $500,000, ongoing math 'building thinking' work with the University of Delaware, a K–12 ELA renewal process, and an exploratory kindergarten placement model based on Hatboro-Horsham's 'K Strong' approach.
Miss Brennan, a curriculum staff member, briefed the Education Committee on March 5 about multiple curriculum initiatives including a science pilot, math instructional shifts, an English language arts (ELA) renewal and an exploratory kindergarten-placement model.
The district is running a Full Option Science System (FOSS) pilot in elementary schools this year with 36 pilot teachers and ongoing professional development; staff said the pilot will be evaluated in May and, if adopted, elementary implementation would carry an estimated multi-year cost of about $500,000.
“We have an exciting pilot going on this year, in the elementary school for a program called FOSS,” Ms. Brennan said. “The pilot itself will be evaluated in May. With the successful evaluation of the pilot, we hope to be bringing forward to you in May a recommendation of the adoption of the FOSS program for our students K through 5.”
Ms. Brennan also described continued rollout of “building thinking classrooms” in math with University of Delaware involvement; staff report the implementation is more developed than expected at this point in the school year. ELA renewal work is under way K–12 with subcommittees conducting needs assessments, standards analysis and stakeholder surveys; staff said they will return in May with a needs-assessment document that leads into year 2 of renewal.
On kindergarten onboarding and placement, the district described exploratory work based on a model used by Hatboro-Horsham School District (referenced in the meeting as a case study). In that model, students start the year unassigned and rotate through kindergarten teachers for early screening and readiness activities; class assignments are finalized after a brief in-school screening period. Ms. Brennan said Upper Dublin staff are studying how a similar approach might fit the district and emphasized that no decision has been made.
Dr. Smith (administrator) described a related professional development contract request: continuing a multi-year engagement with Professional Learning Partnerships (PLP) and facilitator Julia Skolnick to support the district’s Portrait of a Graduate work and associated administrative professional development. Dr. Smith said year 2 of the portrait-development work would be more extensive, include focus groups and visual development, and that Title II funds had been used this year and were contemplated again next year.
Committee members asked about implementation carryover to middle and high school science programs, how curriculum choices would tie to historical assessment data, and whether kindergarten changes might inadvertently track young students; staff said the work will include stakeholder input and data analysis before any recommendation.
Ending: Staff said pilot results, the ELA needs assessment and any portrait-contract recommendation will return to the board in May for further consideration.
