BRENHAM SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES PURCHASE OF NEW SCIENCE CURRICULUM
Brenham ISD trustees became students again for a day, as they took part during their meeting today (Monday) in science experiments demonstrating how a new science curriculum will impact the way students learn.
and School Board President Natalie Lange smile as
they watch the reaction of a science experiment
demonstrating different states of matter. Trustees
sprayed hair spray into a jar of water and closed the
jar with an upside-down lid filled with ice. Upon
lifting the lid, water vapor began to escape from the
jar.
Prior to their unanimous vote in support of SAVVAS K-12 science curriculum, board members donned protective goggles and listened to Brenham ISD teachers explain what kind of lessons students might expect and how they align with new Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements.
The first experiment showed how water exists in different states of matter, as board members sprayed hair spray into a jar of water and closed it with an upside-down lid holding several small cubes of ice. After waiting a few moments, they lifted the lid and saw water vapor start to rise out of the jar. The second experiment had trustees using shaving cream to draw the different shapes that clouds can take.
Secondary Curriculum Coordinator Amanda Dismukes stressed the importance of students not just reading during lessons, but engaging in them, and said this curriculum will help to achieve that.
science experiment showing how water can exist as
a solid, liquid and gas.
The need for new curriculum comes about after the State Board of Education in 2021 approved new science Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards for grades K-12, with major changes to the junior high grade levels. The new TEKS standards, which take effect in the upcoming school year, emphasize phenomena-based learning, scientific and engineering practices, and recurring themes and concepts.
Executive Director of Leading and Learning Sara Borchgardt said all of Brenham ISD’s science teachers were involved in the procurement of new curriculum, and SAVVAS was unanimously ranked out of three companies as the teachers’ top choice.
Archer draw clouds using shaving cream as part of a
science experiment.
The district is adopting SAVVAS for the next 8 years at a total cost of $492,324, divided into two payments from the instructional materials and technology allotment provided by the state. Borchgardt said the district is coming in “right where we should” in terms of cost.
Trustees Bonnie Brinkmeyer and Tommie Sullivan said it is great that teachers are all behind the new curriculum. Brinkmeyer added that students should enjoy the lessons and will be more apt to take their new knowledge home with them.
Also at today’s meeting, the board received presentations on preliminary taxable value numbers and delinquent tax collections. Chief Financial Officer Darrell St. Clair said Washington County’s preliminary net taxable value is just over $5 billion, with freeze-adjusted value sitting at $4.3 billion. Preliminary value for the land in Austin County that sits within Brenham ISD comes out to almost $24 million. Certified values will be released in July.