Specifications include, but are not limited to: The selected curriculum resource for grades 6-8 shall include, but not be limited to, the following components. The DSD would also be interested in an optional proposal for a curriculum resource for grades 5-8: a. Alignment: The curriculum must be aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and have been green-lighted by EdReports. b. Content Diversity: The materials should feature diverse representations to ensure inclusivity and representation of all students. c. Phenomena Layer: The curriculum should incorporate a layer of phenomena to engage students and foster inquiry-based learning. d. Culturally Responsive/Inclusive: The curriculum should be culturally responsive and inclusive, reflecting the diversity of our student population. e. Accessibility: The curriculum should be accessible to students at various levels and provide multiple avenues for access. f. Common Assessments: The curriculum should include both formative and summative assessments that are aligned with the content and provide reliable measures of student learning. g. Professional Development: The proposal should include resources for professional development to support teachers in implementing the curriculum effectively. h. Non-Digital Materials: While digital resources are acceptable, non-digital materials should also be available to accommodate different learning preferences and technological access.
