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Salisbury Township SD to shift biology to 10th grade amid state testing changes; pilots and interventions planned
Summary
District administrators told the Sept. 18 board the state will eliminate a fourth-grade science PSSA and the district recommends moving biology to 10th grade, creating a 9th-grade environmental science option. The board heard updates on MTSS, literacy pilots and planned professional development.
District administrators on Sept. 18 told the Salisbury Township School District Board that state testing changes and curriculum planning will lead the district to recommend moving biology instruction from ninth grade to the tenth grade, while offering an environmental/ecology course in ninth grade and retaining accelerated honors options.
"We did get definitive word there will be no fourth grade assessment," the administrator presenting the teaching-and-learning update said, referring to the state's science testing changes; the district also expects a 5th-grade field test with no accountability measures. Administrators said they are required to participate in the field test and are discussing whether portions should be taken online or on paper.
As part of curriculum planning, the science department recommended shifting biology to 10th grade "to allow another year of testing maturity," while offering a ninth-grade environmental science/ecology course as the college-preparatory ninth-grade option. Honors biology would remain available in an accelerated sequence.
The board also heard that the district is continuing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) work and partnering with IU21 and external consultants for professional development. A first-grade reading pilot (materials procured for about $500) will be compared against the district's existing Foundations curriculum; the district said further piloting could lead to broader adoption in subsequent years.
Middle-school math intervention work is underway: administrators described onsite observations, data dives and the development of an action plan with an external partner to support special-education math and research-based interventions.
Officials described a new learning-lab schedule at the middle school that combines executive-skills instruction with project-based work, and said the work will continue across the school year with further curriculum development and teacher support.
Administrators said curriculum changes and pilot outcomes will be reflected in the program of studies presented to the board in January, with final adoption of the comprehensive plan and action items expected by March 30.
No formal vote on the recommended biology-grade change occurred at the Sept. 18 meeting; administrators said they will present program-of-studies language for board consideration in January.
