Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Curriculum Adoption & Pilot Information

In the upcoming school year 2023-2024, TCUSD is set to initiate the pilot phase of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curriculum, encompassing grades from Transitional Kindergarten through 12th grade. To oversee this process, a specialized NGSS curriculum adoption committee has been established, comprising 15 educators spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels. Multiple curriculum providers were afforded the opportunity to present their offerings to the committee.

In pursuit of an objective assessment, the committee devised an evaluation rubric, thoroughly weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each curriculum option. Following this, a blind in-person voting procedure was conducted within the committee to designate two curriculum providers for the K-5 teachers, two for the 6-8 teachers, and three for the high school teachers. The K-5 committee members will engage with the Inspire Science (McGraw Hill) and Twig curricula. Meanwhile, the 6-8 committee members will undertake the pilot of Inspire Science (McGraw Hill) and Lab-Aids, and the high school committee members will test out Savvas, Norton, and Cengage curricula.

Subsequent to the conclusion of the two pilot phases—namely the Fall pilot spanning from August 16th to December 15th, 2023, and the Winter pilot taking place from January 8th to March 15th, 2024—the committees will convene again. At this juncture, comprehensive surveys from students, parents, and staff members regarding both pilot programs will be reviewed and analyzed. A rigorous discourse will ensue, evaluating the data's reliability based on the rubric devised by the committee.

Ultimately, the committee will embark on an anonymous voting process utilizing traditional paper and pen, culminating in the selection of the recommended curriculum to be proposed for adoption by the board of education in the Spring of 2024

K-5 NGSS Curriculum Pilots

Fall 2023 Pilot

Winter 2024 Pilot

6-8 NGSS Curriculum Pilots

Fall 2023 Pilot

Winter 2024 Pilot

9-12 NGSS Curriculum Pilots

Course(s) Name

Fall 2023 NGSS Pilot

Winter 2024 NGSS Pilot

Earth Science

Biology & Biology Honors

Chemistry

NGSS Curriculum Adoption 2023-2024 - Chemistry - Experience Savvas
NGSS Curriculum Adoption 2023-2024 - Chemistry - Cengage - World of Science

Honors Chemistry & AP Chemistry

NGSS Curriculum Adoption 2023-2024 - AP Chemistry - Norton - Chemistry An Atoms-Focused Approach
NGSS Curriculum Adoption 2023-2024 - AP Chemistry - Cengage

Physics

NGSS Curriculum Adoption 2023-2024 - Physics - Pearson
NGSS Curriculum Adoption 2023-2024 - Physics - Experience Savvas

Temple City United School District - Family Information Session (October 13, 2022)

News: 

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 104, one of the most notable bills from this legislative session. The measure contained an urgency clause, which means its provisions take effect immediately. The following summarizes the statutory changes:

Link to full page

Student Retention

  • Eligible students | A student enrolled in kindergarten through 11th grade in 2020-21 who has received deficient grades for at least one-half of the student’s coursework in 2020-21.
  • “Deficient grade” is defined as receiving a D, F, a No Pass, or an equivalent as determined by the local educational agency.
  • The retention provisions of the bill do not apply to students who were in 12th grade in 2020-21.
  • Consultation meetings: An LEA, upon receiving a written request from a parent of an eligible student (see above) to retain their child for the 2021–22 school year, shall offer the parent a consultation with the parent, the student, an administrator, and a teacher.
  • The consultation must occur within 30 calendar days of receiving the written request.
  • Consultations must include the following:
    • Discussion of all available learning recovery options, including access to prior semester courses in which the pupil received a D or F letter grade, or some other form of credit recovery.
    • Consideration of the pupil’s academic data and any other information relevant to whether retention is in the pupil’s best interests, academically and socially.
    • Discussion about research on the effects of pupil retention and the types of interventions and supports that are beneficial to pupils.
    • Retention decision: LEAs have the ultimate authority of deciding whether or not to retain a student. LEAs must notify a parent of the final determination within 10 calendar days of the consultation.         

Request for Retention Consultation                                                             

Pass/No Pass Grades

  • Eligible students: Students enrolled in high school in the 2020–21 academic year may apply to have a letter grade replaced with a pass or no pass grade.
  • Course limitations: LEAs cannot limit the number or type of courses eligible for the grade change.
  • Grade changes must not negatively affect a student’s grade point average.
  • Colleges and Universities: The California State University must accept pass or no pass grades without prejudice for any applicant enrolled in high school between 2020-21 and 2023-24.
  • The measure encourages but does not compel, the University of California and private colleges and universities to do the same.
  • Within 20 calendar days, the Department of Education must post a list of all post-secondary educational institutions within the state that have indicated they will accept pass/no pass grades without prejudice.
  • Notifying students and families: Within 15 days, CDE must provide LEAs with an application template for grade changes.
  • Within 15 days of CDE posting the application template, LEAs serving high school students must post on its website and provide written notice to students and families of the grade change option.
  • The notice must include 1) the grade change request application, 2) a list of post-secondary educational institutions that have indicated they will accept these grades without prejudice, and 3) a statement informing families that some higher educational institutions, including those from other states, may not accept a pass no pass grade.
  • Transcripts: Students have 15 calendar days from when LEAs provide written notice and post on its website the option to apply.
  • LEAs have 15 days from receipt of an application to update a transcript and notify a student and family of the grade changes.

Local Graduation Requirements exemption

  • LEAs must exempt students enrolled in their 3rd or 4th year of high school in 2020-21 and who are not on track to graduate in four years from all coursework and other requirements adopted by the governing body that is in addition to the statewide coursework requirements.
  • LEAs must provide these students the opportunity to complete the statewide coursework required for graduation, which opportunity may include, but is not limited to, a fifth year of instruction or credit recovery.

Staff

Amy Gerling
Curriculum Coordinator (Elementary)
agerling@tcusd.net
(626) 548-5244

Scott Sherman
Curriculum Coordinator (Secondary)
ssherman@tcusd.net
(626) 548-5246