Colonial SD staff recommend Amplify Science for middle school; integration, assessment links possible

District curriculum staff told the Colonial School District Curriculum Committee on May 12 that they had completed a formal evaluation of three middle-school science resources and identified Amplify Science as the vendor most closely aligned with Pennsylvania's shifts in science instruction.

Staff said the selection followed a multi-year curriculum cycle and a teacher-led piloting process. "The group has identified Amplify Science as being that resource that is going to bring us to the next level with our science instruction at the middle school level," one presenter said, citing the program's use of phenomena, three-dimensional science practices and lab activities.

The district tested units from three vendors — Sabbeth (formerly Pearson), Twig and Amplify Science — and also reviewed an open resource called OpenSciED. Teachers used rubrics to score usability, authenticity and alignment to the Next Generation Science Standards. Presenters emphasized that the resource is intended to support an instructional shift, not merely to replace a textbook. "Any new resource is going to take some time and this isn't just a new resource. This is a whole instructional shift," a staff presenter said.

Staff said Amplify includes differentiation features for varied reading levels, small-group options based on students' responses, and tools to support teachers. The product integrates with Canvas and parts of Google Classroom; staff said the vendor indicated possible integration work with PowerSchool and with the district's assessment platform (referred to in the meeting as LinkIt). A committee member asked whether integration with LinkIt would cost extra; staff answered that any additional cost would be evaluated and that the district would not proceed if costs were prohibitive.

No formal purchase vote was recorded at the committee meeting. Staff asked the committee to approve the resource so the district could plan rollout and training next year. The recommendation will appear on the district board agenda for a formal vote at the next board meeting.

Presenters repeatedly noted that successful implementation will require multi-year professional learning and classroom supports. A district leader who has served on the state's PENCIL committee said the piloting and rubric process helped teachers better understand the instructional shifts expected under the Pennsylvania science standards.

Staff also called attention to implementation logistics: teacher training time, assessment integration, and the expectation that classroom practice will evolve over multiple years. If the board approves the purchase, staff said they will develop a multi-year rollout plan and training schedule.

The committee meeting included separate agenda items and presentations on professional learning, gifted services, flexible instruction days and other items; staff asked that the board consider the Amplify recommendation at the full board meeting later in the week.