In 2016, 77 percent of fifth graders in San Elizario Independent School District (ISD) passed the STAAR® science test, up from 57 percent in 2015. Teachers had begun using STEMscopes™ Texas as their primary science curriculum during the 2015-16 school year,
“Two years ago, our fifth grade teachers were using a hodgepodge of resources and our science scores dropped. Last year, they decided to make STEMscopes their primary science curriculum and the percentage of students passing the STAAR Grade 5 Science Assessment rose by 20 points,” said Deborah Cortez, science and math instructional officer for San Elizario ISD.
In San Elizario ISD, which is approximately 15 miles southeast of El Paso, the student population is 99 percent Hispanic, 96 percent economically disadvantaged, 72 percent at-risk, and 50 percent limited English proficient. According to Cortez, the district chose to implement STEMscopes because the digital STEM curriculum is 100 percent Today San Elizario ISD uses STEMscopes district-wide in grades K– 8, as well as a Spanish version that is available for grades K–5. It is also using STEMscopes Early Explorer in prekindergarten.
STEMscopes provides teacher and student digital resources, supplemental print materials, and hands-on exploration kits that aim to build student engagement.
