Newton Public Schools: Systemwide Goals in STEM

Great ideas

The Newton Public Schools recently adopted the following STEM-related goals among its Systemwide Goals for the 2018-19 school year:

Elementary Schools

  • Implement Investigations 3 in grades K, 1, 2, and 5.
  • Roll out new science units in grade 3 to align with MA Science and
    Technology Engineering (STE) Frameworks and Next Generation
    Science Standards (NGSS).
  • Develop and revise science and engineering units in grade 4 to align
    with new standards.

Middle Schools

  • Implement Illustrative Math curriculum in all middle school grades.
  • Plan for improved research writing across disciplines in accordance
    with the MA DESE Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies,
    Science, and Technical Subjects in collaboration with library teachers.
  • Develop a plan for improving students’ literacy skills across disciplines
    in accordance with the MA DESE Standards for Literacy in
    History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects.
  • Begin developing short performance assessment and embedded
    assessments in new science curriculum to measure student progress.
  • Evaluate the use of anchoring phenomenon to engage students in
    critical and creative thinking in STE.
  • Continue the Calculus Project.

High Schools

  • Support Calculus Project students in grades 9-11, monitor course
    placement and achievement in both high school cohorts.