Page 27 - Science

Science Department Program Review
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Major Action Steps: (1) Revise current pathways to ensure Physical Science and Earth Science topics are
appropriately addressed and not redundant from middle to high school; (2) Reflect changes in middle and
high school course content and sequences within the Program of Studies; and (3) Communicate changes to the
sequence to the school counselors, teachers, students, and parents.
Estimated Budget/Resources: The revision and alignment of curriculum across the physical and Earth
sciences in both middle and high school courses will require the work of a teacher committee. Costs
associated with this depend upon the model implemented to accomplish the work. Changes to the Program of
Studies and communications will not incur costs.
Potential Implications (Short-Term and Long-Term): Articulating and aligning the content of our course
sequence will ensure the elimination of redundant courses, as skills will be appropriately spiraled throughout
the courses and not blatantly repeated. Students will be better focused on high school courses offering
additional exposure to sub-disciplines within the sciences, as opposed to repeating content instructed at the
middle level. Based upon data reviewed, few students take the Earth Space course at the high school.
Integrating Earth/Space concepts throughout the 6-12 science curriculum will ensure all students are provided
with opportunities to learn the content.

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