Lawndale pilots Amplify and Discovery for K–5 science; parents weigh hands‑on kits, take‑home books and pilot timeline

Charice Jones, the district Common Core TOSA, presented two elementary science curriculum pilots at a District Parent Advisory and Curriculum Committee meeting, asking parents for feedback on Amplify Science and Discovery Education’s Science Techbook as part of a K–5 adoption process.

Why this matters: District staff said the current elementary materials are outdated or supplemental and that the board will consider a single comprehensive, NGSS‑aligned textbook adoption to replace older programs. “These are two very reputable products that we are investigating,” Jones said, and parents were asked to evaluate features that support student learning, bilingual access and family engagement.

Program features, pilot structure and differences. Jones and other staff walked parents through each product’s student-facing materials. Amplify uses short readers plus an investigation notebook, hands‑on kits and digital simulations; many Amplify activities use partner reading and are designed for in-class interaction, with the investigation notebook going home. Discovery’s Science Techbook bundles reading, notes and activities in one student edition that can be taken home; it also emphasizes a large video library and digital resources. Staff summarized practical contrasts discussed by parents and presenters: Amplify’s small readers were favored by some early‑education parents for focus, while Discovery’s single student edition and video library appealed to families who want take‑home continuity and reviewable materials.

Pilot details and representation. Staff said pilot implementations currently include kindergarten, third and fifth grades (with additional rounds planned); fourth grade had not volunteered teachers for this pilot cycle. Jones told participants the pilot would conclude in mid‑May and that teacher, student and family input would inform the district recommendation: “The pilot will conclude May 22. So your input will be included in that,” she said. Jones also noted that Discovery’s purchase includes access to Mystery Science as a complimentary resource; Amplify does not include Mystery Science and it would require separate purchase.

Standards alignment and replacement rationale. Staff told parents the district’s existing Scott Foresman program is outdated and not aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and that supplemental resources such as Mystery Science have been used in lieu of a comprehensive, standards‑aligned program. “The Scott’s Forsman program is not aligned to the NGSS standards. It is old standards. It is not current,” Jones said. The district framed the current procurement as replacing an outdated primary curriculum and consolidating science instruction under one comprehensive, NGSS‑aligned program.

Logistics, safety and access. Presenters said both vendors provide English and Spanish materials; staff reported translations are human-reviewed and accessible in print and digitally for dual-language classrooms and recent arrivals. Pilot teaching expectations were described as a minimum of two one‑hour science lessons per week (teacher-flexible scheduling), and hands‑on kits are supplied to classrooms in teacher sets rather than individual student packets. Staff emphasized standard classroom safety practices for kit materials and said consumable items depend on the project.

Next steps. The pilot feedback will be collected from students, teachers and parents and used to recommend one curriculum for board consideration. Parents were invited to continue submitting examples and translation concerns during the pilot period.