High Quality Science Curriculum

Having access to high-quality science curriculum materials is an important component of increasing equitable access to a rigorous education that prepares every student for college and careers.

To increase access through high-quality materials, RIGL §16.22.30-33 was passed in 2019 which requires the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education and RIDE to accomplish the following:

  1. Develop statewide academic standards and curriculum frameworks (RIGL §16-22-30; 16-22-31);
  2. Identify at least five (5) examples of high-quality curriculum and materials for English Language Arts, Mathematics, & Science (RIGL §16-22-32);
  3. Support LEAs in the selection and implementation of curriculum materials (RIGL §16-22-33).

This legislation requires that all RI LEAs adopt high quality curriculum materials in K-12 schools that are:

  1. aligned with academic standards,
  2. aligned with the forthcoming curriculum frameworks, and
  3. aligned with the statewide standardized test(s) (i.e. RICAS, PSAT/SAT), where applicable.

Furthermore, this selection must be completed by June 2023 for mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) and June 2025 for science. Respective to each content area, implementation should be in place by September following a June selection.

To learn more about the timeline and process for the adoption of High Quality Curriculum Instruction Materials (HQIM) for Science, please visit the HQIM page on the RIDE website.

Rhode Island Model Science Curriculum

Model Curriculum will be phased out by 2024.

The Building a Strong Foundation science initiative facilitated by the Charles A. Dana Center was a collaborative project among eight Rhode Island school districts that led to the publication of a K-12 RI Model Science Curriculum aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.

For schools and districts that have not adopted HQIM in Science, the RI Model Science Curriculum includes Year-at-a-Glance, Scope and Sequence and Units of Study for K-5 grade levels, grades 6-8 grade span and high school biology, chemistry and physics.  The eight districts (Beacon School of the Arts Charter, Bristol-Warren, Central Falls, Cranston, Cumberland, Tiverton, Trinity Academy of Performing Arts, and Woonsocket) that were involved in the project began implementing the scope and sequence as their curriculum during the 2014-15 school-year.  Click on the bar of a grade level or course to access the Year-at-a-Glance, Scope and Sequence and Units of Study resources for the grade level or course.