Science team outlines transition to new Texas standards and teaching resources for 2024–25
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Summary
District science leaders described curriculum updates, literacy‑in‑science supports, and state testing timelines as Texas transitions to new science standards; administrators said this year’s STAAR will be a ‘best‑fit’ hybrid while new items are field‑tested.
GCISD science leaders updated trustees on curriculum adjustments to support the state’s transition to new science standards and on district plans to improve science literacy and product usage.
Brooke Schuster, director of science, said the district collected baseline data this year while rolling out the McGraw‑Hill Texas science product and adding “science literacy essentials” and STEAM investigator activities in K–5. Schuster noted that prior district diagnostic work showed 57 percent of students below grade level on informational text comprehension (BOI) and that the district’s work aims to reduce that share by embedding reading opportunities within science instruction.
Schuster briefed trustees on the state testing timeline for the standards transition: this year (2024–25) the state will field‑test new items and administer a “best‑fit” STAAR that overlaps old and new standards; next year’s STAAR will align fully to the new standards. She cautioned teachers to be familiar with both old and new language in standards this year and pointed to small vocabulary or phrasing differences (for example, “heat” vs. “thermal energy”) that could appear in test items.
The department is monitoring TeachCheck usage and teacher adoption of new units; early usage was highest in third through fifth grades. Schuster said the district will continue coaching on science literacy and apply a “know and show” process for readiness standards to ensure teachers understand what students must demonstrate.
