Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts Open SciEd‑based science materials and six‑year PD package for high school
Summary
The North Santiam SD 29J board approved a recommendation from teachers to adopt Open SciEd packaged by Carolina for 9–12 science, including consumable lab kits, teacher manuals, and a six‑year professional‑development plan. Board members emphasized NGSS alignment and supports for special education.
The North Santiam SD 29J board voted to adopt the science instructional materials recommended by the district’s high‑school science committee, approving an Open SciEd package repackaged by Carolina that includes consumable laboratory kits, teacher materials and multi‑year professional development.
The adoption responds to the high‑school team’s recommendation that the district replace a prior open‑source program with a nationally vetted NGSS‑aligned curriculum that provides stronger teacher and student supports, better lab reliability and clearer continuity across physics, chemistry and biology. The board’s motion to adopt was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.
Teachers and district curriculum leaders said the Carolina‑packaged Open SciEd product solved several problems the committee identified: it packages teacher manuals and student materials in a format teachers can use immediately, the publisher offers lab kits and consumable vouchers to reduce teacher prep time, and the open‑source structure allows local editing to include regional phenomena and the district’s interactive‑notebook practices. "This is phenomenal," a district presenter said of the vendor’s ability to supply consumables and multi‑year professional development.
District staff described a discounted six‑year purchase and PD package, the inclusion of consumable vouchers that can be redeemed across the adoption period, and built‑in supports for students with disabilities and English learners. The superintendent and finance director said the proposal fits within the SIA and other planned funding sources and that the purchase plan spreads consumable deliveries across the implementation years to address timing and budget considerations.
The board adopted the recommendation and directed staff to finalize purchase details and implementation planning. Next steps include vendor contracting, scheduling district professional development, and a rollout plan so teachers can begin materials use in the 2025–26 school year.
