March is a busy month for science textbook adoptions

Many school districts are having meetings and public hearings and votes throughout March about new science instructional materials. In some districts that have already approved their new list of science materials, there have been some controversy and close votes. In other districts, the recommended materials were approved without a fuss. Unless you know for certain your school district is safe from creationists and climate-change-deniers (and do your really know for certain?) I would recommend that you get involved.

Below is a list of every single Florida school district. I’ve spent quite a while searching the internet for any scrap of information available about science instructional materials adoption. Some districts have the whole schedule easily accessible. Others, not so much. I could use your help. You’ll notice that many (and I mean many) districts simply had nothing about science instructional materials on their websites. Perhaps you’ll have better luck. Will you take the time to fill in some of those gaps, please? Just send me whatever information you dig up. (Yes, I know that the below list has lots of links that I didn’t hyperlink for you. If you want to do the work, let me know. Otherwise, just copy and paste into your browser.)

The important point here is that you need to look for your district on the list. Then do something! Fill in any gaps. Attend the meetings and hearings if they’re coming up. Find out how your district voted if the meetings already happened. Was there any opposition?

Alachua
Can’t find any clear instructions on the website
http://www.sbac.edu/pages/ACPS/Departments_Programs/Departments__G-L_/Textbook_Services____Instructi

Baker
Public Hearing held March 5, 2018 — “No one in the audience addressed the School Board regarding this topic.”

Click to access 03.05.2018.Minutes.pdf

On the agenda for board vote at March 19, 2018 meeting.

Bay
On the agenda for board vote at March 13, 2018 meeting.

Bradford
The Bradford County School District is considering the adoption of instructional materials from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) for science instruction at the elementary and secondary levels. The public review period runs from February 16, 2018 through March 12, 2018. On Monday, March 12 at 6pm, the Board will hold a workshop and hearing. The regularly scheduled School Board meeting will begin immediately after the workshop.

Click to access HMH-Adoption-Notice.pdf

Brevard
1/23/18 presented to school board for approval (approved as part of the consent agenda)
3/6/18 public hearing
3/13/18 school Board meeting (unsure what for as the materials were approved 1/23)
https://sites.google.com/share.brevardschools.org/instructional-materials/home?authuser=1

Broward
January Instructional materials public hearing
February board meeting to approve materials
March public hearing (Held March 6. No major issues. Video: https://becon.eduvision.tv/Default.aspx?q=d0F7qPKKlcfmtjfULqo9AQ%3d%3d
March/April finalized adoption

2017-18 Science Adoption

Community Review of Instructional Materials

Calhoun
No information could be found during a quick internet search and search of the website.
http://calhounflschools.org/home

Charlotte
School board meeting March 13 had public hearing during which no one spoke. Board approved unanimously without discussion.
http://yourcharlotteschools.net/departments/instructionalMaterials.cfm#Adoption

Citrus
March 13, 2018 Public Hearing at scheduled School Board Meeting for public input related to material recommendations. Three people spoke in general support of the materials but pointed out that some potentially “controversial” topics are tip-toed around in some of the textbooks. They advocated for stronger, more detailed information. See the video at: https://livestream.com/citrusschools/events/8107536/videos/171518985 Public comments start at 59:50.
April 10, 2018 School Board requested to approve recommended instructional materials at their School Board meeting.
http://im.citrusschools.org/2017_18/default.html

Clay
Textbooks approved at Feb 1 meeting on 3-2 vote.
See Florida Citizens for Science blog post: Clay County superintendent: “In no way, shape or form do our textbooks or will our textbooks ever reflect evolution as a fact …” https://www.flascience.org/?p=3184

Collier
Work group meetings through April
Unknown when board will hear and vote.
http://www.collierschools.com/Page/632

Columbia
The School Board of Columbia County will hold a public hearing on March 27, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., at the School Board Administrative Complex, 372, West Duval Street, Lake City, Florida, on adoption of Instructional materials for K-8 Science and High School Chemistry, Biology and Environmental Science for the Columbia County School District. The public is invited to attend. Action is anticipated at this meeting.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-PcIyPEylvURYXfz9G9PmpN8DJFNZXT/view
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oFIiZfaGkm2MTbEI38MZHxCdWZ0E-ONW

DeSoto
No clear information
http://www.desotoschools.com/

Dixie
February 26th Open public meeting to approve IM Plan
March 13th SB/Public formal protest/approval of recommended materials (Note: I can’t find board meeting minutes available at all anywhere on the website)
March 14th 30 day window to contest adoption opens
April 1st Superintendent notifies FLDOE of IM that will be purchased
April 12th 30 day window to contest adoption ends
April 13th Public hearing for contested IM w/hearing officer (if necessary)
http://www.dixie.k12.fl.us/SM%20Documents/Curriculum/January,%202018/CURRICULUM.htm

Duval
3/6 school Board approval (Approved unanimously with no public comment or board debate.)
https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/9932

Escambia
Our district committees will be recommending the materials listed below for adoption at the regularly scheduled March 2018 board meeting. Board meeting will be 3/20. (Board approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda.)
https://ecsd-fl.schoolloop.com/IMAdoption

Click to access 7987756421259632779.pdf

Flagler
2/6 public comments at school Board meeting
2/20 school Board approval
4/17 public hearing of contested materials
https://flaglerschools.com/district/curriculum-and-instruction/instructional-materials

Franklin
No clear information
https://www.franklincountyschools.org/Page/1

Gadsden
No clear information
http://gadsdencounty.schoolinsites.com/

Gilchrist
March 13, 2018 Instructional Materials Adoption Plan presentation to School Board
March 14, 2018 Public review period begins.
April 2, 2018 Public review period ends.
April 3, 2018 Public comments will be heard at School Board Meeting.
April 17, 2018 School Board approval of recommended materials.
April 18, 2018 30-day period to contest adoption opens.
May 17, 2018 30-day period to contest adoption ends.
June 1-15, 2018 TBD Public hearing for contested instructional materials (if needed)
http://gilchristfl.apptegy.us/o/District/page/instructional-materials

Glades
No clear information
http://www.gladesedu.org/

Gulf
No clear information

Gulf District Schools

Hamilton
No clear information
https://www.hamiltonfl.com/news?ID=4B02265C-BB9F-401A-8E87-620C7515AB7C

Hardee
No clear information
http://www.hardee.k12.fl.us/

Hendry
No clear information
https://www.hendry-schools.org/Page/1

Hernando
No clear information
https://www.hernandoschools.org/HCSD

Highlands
No clear information
https://www2.highlands.k12.fl.us/home

Hillsborough
A public hearing will be held on February 7, 2017.
No other clear information
http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/news/118/instructional-materials-adoption/

Holmes
No clear information
http://www.hdsb.org/

Indian River
an open, noticed School Board hearing to receive public comment on the recommended instructional materials will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at 6:00 p.m., in the Joe N. Idlette-TEC Room at 6500 57th Street, Vero Beach, Florida.
No one spoke during public hearing period of 2/27 board meeting. Books were adopted by school board vote of 3-1. The no vote related to cost, not content of books.
https://www.indianriverschools.org/textbook-adoption-documents/send/81-textbook-adoption-documents/820-public-notice-science-instructional-material-2017-2018
https://www.indianriverschools.org/textbook-adoption-documents/category/81-textbook-adoption-documents

Jackson
No clear information
http://www.jcsb.org/

Jefferson
No clear information
http://www.jeffersonschooldistrict.org/

Lafayette
The District School Board of Lafayette County will hold a Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. during their regular school board meeting on February 20, 2018 to receive public comment on the recommended instructional materials (Science Curriculum K-12) for the 2018-2019 school year.
No one spoke during the public hearing 2/20. Board voted to approve textbooks.

Click to access Public%20Hearing%20Notice%20-%20Instructional%20Materials%20.pdf

Lake
The deadline for all reviews and comments for AP is February 28, 2018. The deadline for all reviews and comments is February 18, 2018.
https://www.lake.k12.fl.us/Page/385
Unknown when board will view or vote.

Lee
March 13, 2018 – Public Hearing
March 27, 2018 – Board Adopts Instructional Materials (from the meeting summary: A. Conduct a Public Hearing to receive comment on the proposed 2018-2019 Instructional Materials Plan. Ms. Morgan recessed the Board Meeting and opened the Public Hearing at 6:44 P.M. She asked if anyone would like to address the Board regarding the one item on the agenda for Public Hearing. There were no requests to address the Board. Ms. Morgan closed the Public Hearing and reconvened the Board Meeting at 6:45 P.M.)
March 28, 2018 – Objection Form Posted
April 26, 2018 – Deadline to Submit Objections
April 30, 2018 – Hearing Officer hears formal objections
May 22, 2018 – School Board meeting to present hearing officer’s summary report
June 5, 2018 – School Board meeting to authorize purchase
http://www.leeschools.net/instructional-materials

Leon
The Leon County School Board will hold a public hearing regarding the science materials submitted for possible board adoption. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 27th, at 6:00 p.m., at the Howell Center, 3955 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304.
https://www.leonschools.net/domain/6060

Levy
No clear information
http://www.levyk12.org/

Liberty
No clear information
http://www.lcsbonline.org/

Madison
No clear information
http://www.madison.k12.fl.us/adoption-of-instructional-materials

Manatee
No clear information
https://www.manateeschools.net/manateeschools

Marion
Marion did their own textbook selection process. See our Florida Citizens for Science blog post: https://www.flascience.org/?p=2901
February 13, 2018 School Board Approval of 8 Recommended Titles
At the 2/13 board meeting, no one spoke during the public hearing. The board voted to approve 5-0 the recommended books. However, three books were pulled from consideration that the board did not vote on.
The books that were removed from consideraton were:
M/J Physical Science- HMH Florida Physical Science: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (According to the presentation given at the board meeting, this book was removed due to concerns a middle school teacher had about its content. Unfortunately, the specifics were not explained at the meeting, so I don’t know what those content concerns were.)
Physical Science Holt Science Spectrum: Physical Science Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (This book was removed from consideration because there was inadequate parent input throughout the review process.)
M/J World History World History: Ancient Civilizations, Florida Edition Cengage Learning (This book was removed from consideration because there was inadequate parent input throughout the review process.)
March 27, 2018 Open Public Hearing on all Formal Objections for the 8 Board Approved Titles (2-13-18) with Hearing Officer, Commissioner Michelle Stone
https://www.marionschools.net/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=78982&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=50898&PageID=1

Martin
The public hearing for instructional materials will be held on March 19th at 4:00pm at the School Board Office at 500 E Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34997.
http://www.martinschools.org/pages/Martin_County_School_District/IM_adoption

Miami-Dade
There is a webpage for instructional materials, but it looks to be out of date and not very informative
http://im.dadeschools.net/

Monroe
This is a list of science materials up for adoption but I can’t find a schedule of meetings/hearings.
https://fl02202360.schoolwires.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=5876

Nassau
2/8/18 public meeting to approve annual adoption plan.
2/22/18 public input meeting
Early March all public protests posted on website
3/8/18 public hearing and adoption (board voted unanimously to adopt the textbooks as part of the consent agenda)
4/7/18 end of 30 day protest period
https://www.nassau.k12.fl.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=2719

Okaloosa
Webpage lists recommended materials but I can’t find a meeting schedule.
https://www.okaloosaschools.com/latest-news/science-textbook-materials

Okeechobee
Webpage lists social studies as the textbook subject under review this year. I’m not sure if this means the website needs to be updated or if this school district is actually a year behind in textbook adoptions.
http://www.okee.k12.fl.us/instructional-materials

Orange
Board voted 2/13. No one in the public commented at the meeting. No discussion or debate during the meeting. Adopted.

The School Board of Orange County will accept public comment on the 2017-18 Science Adoption Selections at the February 13th, 2018 regularly scheduled School Board Meeting.
https://www.ocps.net/departments/curriculum__instruction_and_digital_learning/instructional_materials/textbook_adoption_selections/

Osceola
In the Fall of the 2017-2018 school year, Osceola County will begin adopting a new set of science textbooks. A committee of teachers representatives from every school, district resource teachers, and parent representatives will meet to review new texts and provide recommendations to the school board.
A recommendation for the adoption of K-12 Science Instructional materials will be presented to the Osceola County School Board on April 3, 2018.
http://www.osceolaschools.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=567190&pageId=8763347

Palm Beach
First public hearing held Jan 24, 2018.  (no one spoke during the public hearing)
March Board Meeting — Public Hearing at Board Meeting on proposed IM adoptions; Board Meeting to adopt IM agenda items

Click to access K-12ScienceTimeTaskCalendar.docx-6.pdf

The District encourages anyone interested in providing input regarding the selection of these textbooks to review student content and submit feedback by February 1, 2018. After all input is reviewed and considered, committees will submit their recommendations for adoption to the School Board for approval.

Public Invited to Review Instructional Materials Being Recommended for District Adoption for K-12 Science

Pasco
4/17 school Board meeting
http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/instructional_materials_adoption_process

Pinellas
2/13 public hearing at school Board meeting (no one spoke during the public hearing)
2/27 school Board approves materials (board voted to approve textbooks as part of the consent agenda)
4/24 meeting to hear objections
https://www.pcsb.org/Page/22815

Polk
Polk County Schools is under the review process for instructional materials in the K-12 science content areas. These materials will be implemented in the 2018-2019 academic school year. Science committees, that are comprised of teachers, administrators, and community members, are working together to create a consensus of the top two choices to present to the Polk County School Board in April. Preview the instructional materials that are under review. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill out the survey.
https://www.polk-fl.net/districtinfo/departments/learning/k12curriculum.htm

Putnam
No clear information
http://putnamschools.org/

Santa Rosa
No clear information

Home

Sarasota
Sarasota County Schools has determined the list of recommended instructional materials for adoption in Science, Grades 6-12, for implementation beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. These recommendations will be brought to the School Board for possible approval during the regularly scheduled meeting on March 6, 2018.
As required by State Statute, any parent of a student attending Sarasota County Schools, or citizen of Sarasota County, may file a formal objection to any of the recommended materials within 30 days of the School Board’s approval of said materials. Formal objections may be submitted from Wednesday, March 7, 2018 – Thursday, April 5, 2018.
http://sarasotacountyschools.net/departments/instructionalmedia/default.aspx?id=3602

Seminole
2/20 instructional materials preview night
Unknown when school board will hear and vote.
https://www.scps.k12.fl.us/district/departments/instructional-resources/instructional-materials/district-adoptions.stml

St. Johns
The St. John’s county school district took action on Feb 13, 2018 to adopt science instructional materials.
A petition period for parents and residents of St Johns county is open from Feb 14-March 15, 2018.

Instructional Materials Adoption

St. Lucie
Approved as part of the consent agenda at the March 6 board meeting.

Sumter
During the 2017-2018 school year, the state of Florida will be adopting materials for Science. Sumter will review its needs and will begin its selection and adoption process in the second part of the school year. The selected materials will be implemented fall, 2018.
https://www.sumter.k12.fl.us/Page/1505
Approved at the February 20 board meeting.

Suwannee
No clear information
http://www.suwannee.k12.fl.us/

Taylor
Science Stakeholders Focus Group Meeting‐3rd Week of March
Science School Board Open Hearing‐April 3, 2018 at 5:30 at the Taylor County Administration Complex
Open Instructional Materials Meeting MARCH 27, 2018 AT 2:00 P.M. in the Taylor County School District  Administrative Complex PDR All interested individuals in the community are welcome.

Click to access Binder1.pdf

Union
No clear information
http://union.k12.fl.us/

Volusia
Board is expected to consider at March 27, 2018 meeting.

Wakulla
Board is likely to consider at March 26, 2018 meeting.
http://wakulla.schooldesk.net/Portals/Wakulla/District/docs/Instructional%20Sevices/2017-2018%20Science%20Adoption%20Timeline.pdf?ver=2018-01-21-021939-780

Walton
The textbook adoption committee will render its final recommendation in early April. At that time print copies of the recommended titles will be available at the Tivoli Administrative Complex, 145 Park Street, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Anyone wanting to preview the materials should contact Cathy Hall at 892-1100, extension 1548.
http://www.walton.k12.fl.us/k-12-instructional-materials

Washington
No clear information
http://www.wcsdschools.com/