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Board Adopts New K–8 Science and Multiple High‑School Texts; Staff Outlines Three‑Year Implementation
Summary
The board approved K–8 science materials (FOSS and Prentice Hall titles) and a package of high‑school instructional materials after multi‑month review by committees; staff described teacher training partnerships and a three‑year rollout.
The San Francisco Board of Education on May 22 approved instructional‑material adoptions for elementary/middle school science and for a range of high‑school courses.
For kindergarten through fifth grade, the board adopted the Full Option Science System (FOSS) published by Delta Education; for sixth through eighth grades the board adopted state‑aligned Prentice Hall/ Pearson titles focused on earth, life and physical science. Staff said the instructional review committees considered only materials adopted by the state and worked for several months to examine standards alignment and equity criteria.
Board members asked about implementation and replenishment of kits. Staff described a district science refurbishment center that houses materials and a plan to partner with UCSF Science Education Partnership, the Exploratorium and the California Academy of Sciences to provide teacher content knowledge and liaisons for longer‑term monitoring. "We want science to be fully taught in K–5," staff said; the rollout will be phased over three years and include professional development.
The board then approved a second adoption package for selected high‑school courses — including biotechnology, conceptual and AP chemistry, AP U.S. history, economics and government classes — after staff explained the committees’ equity and content criteria and described improvements over previous adoptions. Several commissioners praised the improvements and the work of teachers on the review committees. Roll calls on both adoptions registered seven ayes.
Implementation: staff will schedule teacher training and monitor kit replenishment and teacher liaisons to support fidelity of instruction over the three‑year phase.
