School board adopts new science instructional materials for K–12 and AP courses

The Volusia County School Board on Feb. 25 approved the purchase and adoption of multiple science instructional materials packages across grade levels, including AP courses, following presentations from district curriculum staff.

District curriculum staff said committees of teachers and parents vetted publisher options and recommended specific titles and formats. "These are follow ups to, with the publishers with an agreement and the quote and contract for purchase," said Dr. Desiree Rubinsky, who introduced the adoptions and noted materials include both print and digital components.

Why it matters: the approved materials will guide classroom instruction and assessments across the district for the coming adoption cycles and align course curricula with state and college-board expectations where applicable.

The board considered five separate adoption items listed on the agenda as 17.02 through 17.06: - 17.02 Bedford, Freeman & Worth — AP Environmental Science (high school; print and digital) - 17.03 Discovery Education — elementary (K–5) and middle school science (print and digital) - 17.04 McGraw Hill LLC — high school courses including anatomy & physiology, biology, physics, physical science, marine science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry - 17.05 National Geographic Learning / Cengage — high school Earth & Space and AP Physics series - 17.06 Savvas Learning Company — high school chemistry and environmental science

Each recommendation had been developed by the district’s review committees; Dr. Rubinsky told the board that the AP materials are aligned to College Board requirements and that the general‑education materials are on the state‑approved list where required.

Votes at a glance - 17.02 Bedford, Freeman & Worth (AP Environmental Science): motion approved, vote 5–0 - 17.03 Discovery Education (K–5, middle school): motion approved, vote 5–0 - 17.04 McGraw Hill (selected high‑school courses): motion approved, vote 5–0 - 17.05 National Geographic Learning / Cengage (selected high‑school courses): motion approved, vote 5–0 - 17.06 Savvas Learning Company (chemistry, environmental science): motion approved, vote 5–0

Board members made brief comments but did not alter the recommendations; most discussion focused on alignment and whether AP items required the state approval process (AP items were described as College Board‑aligned, not state approved). The purchases will proceed under the vendor contracts and the district’s procurement process.

The superintendent recommended approval; the board moved, seconded and approved each item in turn. The adoptions and purchase authorizations will allow the district to finalize vendor contracts and schedule implementation and teacher training ahead of classroom rollout.

The district staff who presented said teachers and parents will continue to participate in implementation planning and that digital access and teacher training are part of the vendor agreements.