Note: The report, intended for communicating TEKS alignment to the TESCCC and participating districts, does not contain a full description of all curriculum components (documents) included in the review. Anyone not familiar with CSCOPE is encouraged to visit http://www.cscope.us/aboutus.html to learn more about the CSCOPE system and its curriculum, assessment, and instructional components.

External Review Commends CSCOPE’s Alignment to Science TEKS
Findings from a recently released external review commended the TESCCC for “consistently high TEKS coverage and agreement between and across documents” in the K-12 CSCOPE Science curriculum. The comprehensive content review process that began in the summer of 2012 is part of an in-depth review of CSCOPE’s alignment to state standards, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The TESCCC is very pleased with the overwhelmingly positive findings from the Phase I CSCOPE Science TEKS Review.

Phase I of this initiative included a review of the K-12 CSCOPE Science curriculum. Phase II, which involves lesson review, will begin in January 2013. Additionally, the Phase I curriculum review of K-12 English/Spanish Language Arts and Reading began in December 2012. Over the course of the coming years, each of the CSCOPE content areas will be subject to similar review. This comprehensive TEKS-alignment review process allows the TESCCC to honor its commitment to Texas schools by providing a curriculum management system that continues to improve and be responsive to both end user feedback and new information/requirements released by the state.

What Does the Report Mean?
The CSCOPE Science TEKS Review Phase I Final Report is provided to the TESCCC by Resources for Learning (RFL), the external evaluation company selected to conduct the review process. While the actual report describes the evaluation process and findings in more depth, the TESCCC is providing asection below to summarize what actions were taken from the report’s findings and recommendations.

General Comments and Acknowledgments
While CSCOPE Science curriculum documents had “above 90% agreement for each comparison and coverage review,” with most courses revealing 100% coverage, the TESCCC expects to maintain 100% alignment in all CSCOPE content. This review process helps us achieve that goal. We appreciate the analysis and information gained through this independent review process, and we look forward to receiving information from the upcoming Phase II review of CSCOPE Science lessons.

The TESCCC and CSCOPE Science Team wish to convey appreciation and gratitude to the writers, reviewers, ESC specialists, and countless teachers who tirelessly contribute to the creation and continual improvement of the CSCOPE science curriculum. Without the valuable contributions and collaboration of our members, this high level of success would not have been possible.

CSCOPE Response to Findings (Exhibit 4 of the Report):
All audit recommendations as noted on the RFL Summary of Findings (Exhibit 4) were reviewed, accepted and have been made in CSCOPE science documents or were previously corrected if found by State CSCOPE staff prior to receiving the findings report.

View the full report