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Interim science supervisor says West Essex science program is 'strong,' proposes 7th‑grade curriculum rewrite
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Summary
An interim science supervisor told the West Essex Board the science department aligns with district goals, is implementing the Afaria curriculum‑mapping system, and plans a summer rewrite of the seventh‑grade curriculum to improve alignment with assessments.
The West Essex science department is meeting district goals for career readiness and positive school culture, the presenter told the Board at its April 13 meeting, and staff are pursuing curriculum alignment and professional development to raise student performance.
"The State of the Union is strong in the science department," the presenter said, describing a team that includes eight non‑tenured science teachers and several special‑services staff being mentored by veteran colleagues. He said the department uses a district curriculum‑mapping tool now called Afaria (formerly ATLAS) to align curriculum to lesson plans and assessment.
The presenter highlighted a planned rewrite of the seventh‑grade science curriculum that would take place this summer pending board approval, saying the move responds in part to low New Jersey student assessment results and aims to better align lesson plans and assessments. He also described professional development approaches—PLCs, late openings and district‑scheduled days—used to support the work.
To illustrate outcomes, the presenter read alumni testimonials from graduates who work in STEM fields and clinical research, saying the district’s science programming contributed to their career pathways. The presentation closed with an invitation for board questions; none were recorded.
The presentation was delivered as part of the district’s regular instructional reports and did not include any formal votes or policy changes; the board moved later in the meeting to approve routine consent items.
