Shoreline School District Approves New Secondary Social Studies and Science Curricula

By Marianne Deal Stephens

On June 1st, 2015 Shoreline School District Director of Teaching and Learning Teri Poff offered a briefing of recent decisions by the District Instructional Materials Committee (DIMC).

The committee, which consists of administrators, teachers, and parents, recently reviewed social studies and science curriculum options.

All materials were piloted in classes, usually alongside other options, and teacher and student input was collected and evaluated. Shorewood Social Studies Department Chair Lara Sukol led the Social Studies pilot, and Instructional Specialist for Science Lisa Chen spearheaded the review of various science texts. 

The committee approved the Brown University Choices as a supplemental Social Studies curriculum for Senior Civics courses. Students are “presented with scenarios (choices) and there are lessons with role-playing, writing, and graphic organizers” (Minutes from 5.27.15 DIMC Meeting). Choices also aligns with Common Core literacy standards.

Here are excerpts from the DIMC Recommendation regarding Choices. Curricula are evaluated for intended use, adherence to standards, bias, and several other factors. 

Excerpts from DIMC’s Request for Approval of the Choices Curriculum can be seen here.

Source: Shoreline School District. 

The committee also approved:

• POGIL supplementary curriculum for student-driven learning activities in chemistry and biology classes.
• Pearson Chemistry, the updated edition of the current text for the first-year chemistry course. 
• Introductory Chemistry, a college text for nonscience majors which will be used for the Honors Chemistry course.
• Chemistry 9th Edition, AP Edition, the updated version of the current textbook for AP Chemistry.
• Conceptual Physics,   the updated version of a text that has been in use at Shorecrest; will be used in general Physics courses.
• College Physics: A Strategic Approach will be used for both AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2. 

The entire DIMC report containing student and teacher feedback, sample lessons, and detailed reviews of each newly adopted instructional material can be found on pages 162-348 of the June 1 School Board Agenda Packet. On June 15th, the School Board unanimously approved DIMC’s recommendations.