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Scottsdale Unified recommends new AP, IB science materials; committee cites online labs and exam alignment
Summary
A district committee recommended new AP and IB science textbooks and digital resources to align with updated course descriptions; estimated cost and implementation timeline were presented at first read.
Scottsdale Unified School District staff presented a first-read recommendation for secondary science curriculum materials for the 2025–26 adoption cycle, including proposed texts and online platforms for AP biology, AP chemistry, IB biology and IB chemistry.
Dr. Kim Dodds, joined by district science lead Johanna Kaiser, told the governing board the adoption committee conducted multi-year reviews and that the recommendations were the result of an interest-based, consensus-driven process with teacher input. The committee recommended Biology for the AP Course (Bedford, Freeman & Worth) for AP biology; Chemistry (14th Ed., AP edition) by Overby and Chang for AP chemistry; and Oxford University Press course companions for IB biology and IB chemistry.
The committee emphasized virtual labs, online platforms, and bundled print/digital resources intended to support hands-on and simulated laboratory experiences. A teacher note read aloud from Jackie Wells, an IB biology teacher at Desert Mountain High School, called the Oxford materials “the best curriculum available” for IB instruction and exam preparation.
Staff presented an estimated total cost figure stated in the presentation: "The total estimated costs is of the recommend materials is $124.553000 dollars," and said the committee expected the materials to serve about 3,100 students over seven years, an average of $39.72 per student per year. District staff said professional development and publisher support would accompany implementation, with materials arriving this summer and teacher training in August.
Board members asked about parent involvement and public review. Staff said no parents applied to this specific committee and the public review period remains open through April 8, with materials available at the Oak Campus and on the district curriculum adoptions webpage.
The presentation was informational; the board did not vote on final adoption at the meeting.
