2015-16 6-8 Science Adoption Committee Meeting Summaries

February 24, 2016
The 6-8 Science Adoption Committee recommended the adoption of iScience: McGraw Hill Publishing, 2017.

Committee members used data and information from a variety of sources to inform their final recommendation. These included:

  • A thorough review of instructional materials from a variety of publishers using review rubrics. This review, conducted by the adoption committee, was used to narrow the selection of materials to 2 finalists for piloting.
  • A pilot process, involving teachers from each middle school, where finalist materials were tested in classrooms. Student and teacher feedback was also gathered during this process.
  • A cost analysis of the materials.
  • An evaluation of digital resources from each of the finalists by our Technology Operations Department.

The committee’s recommendation will now be forwarded to the Instructional Materials Committee (IMC). IMC members will review the materials and will make a recommendation to the Board. The Board will take action on the recommendation in May. Materials will be on display at the Lake Washington School District Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond, WA 98052) through April 29. There is an opportunity to give written feedback.


December 11, 2015
At the December meeting, the 6-8 Science Adoption Committee members narrowed the selection of materials to 2 programs. In the coming months, teams of teachers from our middle schools will be piloting these materials in their classrooms Teachers who will be piloting have selected lessons and units that match with what they will be teaching at this time of year. During the pilot process, teachers will be gathering information about the usability of the materials. They will also be collecting feedback from students. In March and April, materials will be made available for parents and community members to review.

The materials being piloted are:

A recommendation about the adoption of science materials will be made by the committee on February 29.


October 13, October 22, November 2, November 4, November 23
An evaluation of materials from a variety of publishers is scheduled through the end of November. Using materials review rubrics, committee members will be evaluating print and digital resources for students and teachers. The committee is scheduled to meet in December to identify 2-3 sets of materials to pilot in classrooms.

Science programs being considered include:

  • It’s About Time
  • Lab-Aids
  • CPO
  • IQWST
  • Interactive Science
  • iScience
  • STC
  • FOSSS

These programs were selected based on alignment with our state standards, the availability of current (2012 or later) materials, and use and favorable reviews in neighboring districts.


September 23, 2015
Middle school science teachers, administrators, parents, and community members met to finalize checklists (rubrics) that will be used to evaluate science materials.

Committee members will be using rubrics to determine how well these instructional materials address the following criteria:

  • Effective instructional practice for middle school science
  • Alignment to the Next Generation Science Standards
  • Effective assessment practice for middle school science
  • Integration of digital resources to support instruction
  • Quality organization and design

Committee members will begin reviewing later in the month. The committee is scheduled to have a recommendation about the adoption of materials for the Instructional Materials Committee meeting on April 14, 2016. This will be followed by a recommendation to the Board on May 2, 2016.