JRHS Science Adoption

Selected junior high school campuses within Gilbert Public Schools will pilot at least one unit for 7th grade and one unit for 8th grade science during the trial period.

• Timeline: The pilot will begin at the start of the 3rd quarter and run through March. (Teachers may continue utilizing the materials for the remainder of the school year.)
• Feedback Collection: Input will be gathered throughout the pilot from participating teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
• Final Selection: All collected data will be analyzed and presented to the Adoption Committee to inform the recommendation submitted to the Governing Board in April 2027.

Science instructional materials will be available for public review from January 4 through March 4 at the following locations:

GPS District Office (Reception Area)

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays only
Hours: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Highland Junior High School (Front Office) 

Days: Monday – Friday
Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

South Valley Junior High School (Front Office)

Days: Monday – Friday
Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Section 1: Alignment to the Arizona Science Standards, Learning Progressions, and Coherence
Section 2: Alignment to Rigor and the Standards for Science & Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas
Section 3: Assessment 
Section 4: Instructional Support for Student Learning; Teacher Planning and Usability
Section 5: Resources - Technology and Supplemental Materials

A committee composed of key stakeholders—including junior high school teachers, parents, instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators, and administrators—evaluated potential resources using an established, criterion-based review process aligned with state science standards.

• Evaluation Criteria: Materials were assessed for academic rigor, alignment with state standards, scientific inquiry support, usability, and age-appropriateness for 7th and 8th-grade students.
• Committee Objective: Ensure all recommended resources meet high instructional standards before advancing to the public review and piloting phases.

Resources for the pilot phase are currently To Be Determined (TBD).

This section will be updated once the Science Adoption Committee completes its initial evaluation and selects the finalist materials for campus piloting.

The updated 7th and 8th-grade science resources fully align with current state standards. Built on a Three-Dimensional (3D) learning framework—integrating core disciplinary ideas, scientific and engineering practices, and cross-cutting concepts—these materials ensure consistent, high-quality instruction across all district junior high classrooms.