sw science curriculum hs proposals 10 09-12

of 4

School-‐Wide Science Curriculum Development Group

HS Grade 9 & 10 Curriculum Proposals

After reviewing the current Science curriculum in Grades 9 and 10, the following proposals have been recommended. These appear in order of preference of adoption. 1. All students take only IGCSE Coordinated Sciences

Grade 9

IGCSE Coord. Sciences â

Grade 10 IGCSE Coord. Sciences

Proposal advantages Proposal disadvantages

• Well-‐rounded course that models the holistic ideals set forth by IB

• All students have a common background when they enter IB Sciences

• Quantity and quality of labs covered prepares students for IB internal assessments

• Students do not have to make a choice of their IB Science pathway until mid-‐10th grade when they have already covered a good portion of all three sciences

• Improved validity of grades awarded to students

• Good flow and continuity of all topics leading to IB Sciences

• Collaborative teaching, planning and resources across Grades 9 & 10; sharing of expertise

• Common assessments • Externally examined course • Teacher-‐training streamlined • Preferred option by majority of HS

Science teachers

• Less depth of coverage compared to Physics II

• Challenge of assigning credits to a student who transfers out of SFS to the USA

• Challenge of placing new 10th grade students (especially from the USA)

• More staffing will be needed • Would need to be phased in

Proposal action points for implementation • Effect on staffing and how much additional FTE needs calculating and financing • Check that HS schedule allows for this – with current 6-‐day/30 period schedule

only total number of study halls will be affected • Credit allocation needs to be determined for leaving students • Pathways for new SFS students need to be mapped out

of 4

2. Students take one of two paths:

Semester 1 Grade 9

Physical Science (Physics I)

Semester 1 Grade 9

IGCSE Coord. Sciences â â

Semester 2 Grade 9

Physical Science (Chemistry I)

Semester 2 Grade 9

IGCSE Coord. Sciences â â

Semester 1 Grade 10 Biology I

Semester 1 Grade 10

IGCSE Coord. Sciences â (HL Science mandatory but optional for SL Science) â â

Semester 2 Grade 10

Integrated Science

Semester 2 Grade 10

IGCSE Coord. Sciences

Proposal advantages Proposal disadvantages • Current staffing can (probably) be

maintained • Students have a similar

background on key topics when they enter IB Sciences

• Collaborative teaching, planning and resources in new course

• Less depth of coverage compared to Physics II

• Non-‐IGCSE courses have no external examination

• Students may need to choose their IB Science options

• Would need to be phased in Proposal action points for implementation

• New course needs to be planned, resourced and staffed • Pathways for new SFS students need to be mapped out

of 4

3. Students choose from our current course offerings:

Semester 1 Grade 9

Physical Science (Physics I)

Semester 1 Grade 9


â â

Semester 2 Grade 9

Physical Science (Chemistry I)

Semester 2 Grade 9


â â

Semester 1 Grade 10 Biology I

Semester 1 Grade 10


â Students choose one (or none) of the following â â

S2 Gr10 Bio II

S2 Gr10 Chem II

S2 Gr10 Phy II

S2 Gr10 Bio II Chem II

S2 Gr10 Bio II Phy II

S2 Gr10 Chem II Phy II

Semester 2 Grade 10


Proposal advantages Proposal disadvantages • Non-‐IGCSE courses easy for

assigning credits to a student who transfers out of SFS to the USA

• Students are doing OK on IB exams with these choices

• New 10th grade students have options available

• Current staffing can be maintained • No phasing in required

• Creates too many differences amongst students in terms of their foundation in IB Sciences

• Students may not really know which IB Science they want to take but have to choose their path early

• Wide variation of grade allocation (validity)

• No practice of an external examination with non-‐IGCSE courses

• Teacher training complex • Current HS teachers have

identified a need to make changes from this model, based on progression to IB Sciences

Proposal action points for implementation • IB Science courses need better ‘gate-‐keeping’ for the optimal prior requirements,

particularly HL • Allocation of training and resources for each pathway above – approval of

expenses

sw science curriculum hs proposals 10 09-12

Education