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District reviews Studies Weekly and Amplify Science as options for streamlined science and social studies instruction
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Summary
Curriculum Council is evaluating Studies Weekly (combined science/social studies platform) and Amplify Science (phenomenon-based science curriculum). The board will review recommendations after pilot and data meetings in January.
Curriculum Council and district curriculum staff briefed the board on options to update elementary science and social studies materials.
Vice President Thomas Jansen and Director of Curriculum & Instruction Michaela Faust described two options under review: Studies Weekly, which packages science and social studies on a single print-and-digital platform intended to reduce staff learning curves, and Amplify Science, a phenomenon-based science curriculum emphasizing inquiry and hands-on learning. Faust said the district is considering which program better aligns with standards and instructional planning needs.
Faust also reported that the district will host 13 teaching interns from Reavis High School next spring and that Winter NWEA MAP benchmark testing is complete; intervention and grade-level teams will review results in January. No formal adoption decision was made at the Dec. 17 meeting — staff will return with recommendations after pilot data and grade-level reviews.
The board’s next steps include reviewing pilot outcomes and winter benchmark data in January before making a curriculum adoption recommendation.