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Evaluating the Alignment and Impact of the OpenSciEd Biology Curriculum in Secondary Classrooms

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Title: Evaluating the Alignment and Impact of the OpenSciEd Biology Curriculum in Secondary Classrooms
Language: English
Authors: Marivina Van Zandt
Source: Online Submission. 2026M.S. Capstone, Western Governors University.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 47
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Secondary Education
High Schools
Grade 9
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Grade 10
Descriptors: High School Teachers, Science Teachers, Biology, Curriculum Evaluation, Alignment (Education), State Standards, Academic Standards, School Districts, Grade 9, Grade 10, Secondary School Science
Geographic Terms: Nevada
Abstract: This capstone research evaluated the alignment and impact of the OpenSciEd Biology curriculum in secondary classrooms. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which the curriculum aligned with the 2025-2026 Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science (NVACS-S) and Clark County School District instructional frameworks. The problem addressed was the difficulty secondary biology teachers experience in implementing coherent, NGSS-aligned, inquiry-based instruction due to inconsistent access to high-quality curricular materials and limited implementation support. The guiding research question examined the degree of alignment between OpenSciEd Biology and state and district standards. A quantitative curriculum-evaluation design was used, incorporating document analysis and a structured standards-alignment checklist modeled on the Porter Alignment Index. Participants included five secondary biology teachers who taught or had recently taught the curriculum. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze alignment across standards alignment, instructional coherence, and inquiry-based instruction. Findings indicated strong overall alignment, with notable strengths in inquiry-based learning and instructional coherence, and identified targeted areas for improvement.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED678525
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Evaluating the Alignment and Impact of the OpenSciEd Biology Curriculum in Secondary Classrooms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Online+Submission%22"><i>Online Submission</i></searchLink>. 2026M.S. Capstone, Western Governors University.
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  Data: 47
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+9%22">Grade 9</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+10%22">Grade 10</searchLink>
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  Data: This capstone research evaluated the alignment and impact of the OpenSciEd Biology curriculum in secondary classrooms. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which the curriculum aligned with the 2025-2026 Nevada Academic Content Standards for Science (NVACS-S) and Clark County School District instructional frameworks. The problem addressed was the difficulty secondary biology teachers experience in implementing coherent, NGSS-aligned, inquiry-based instruction due to inconsistent access to high-quality curricular materials and limited implementation support. The guiding research question examined the degree of alignment between OpenSciEd Biology and state and district standards. A quantitative curriculum-evaluation design was used, incorporating document analysis and a structured standards-alignment checklist modeled on the Porter Alignment Index. Participants included five secondary biology teachers who taught or had recently taught the curriculum. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze alignment across standards alignment, instructional coherence, and inquiry-based instruction. Findings indicated strong overall alignment, with notable strengths in inquiry-based learning and instructional coherence, and identified targeted areas for improvement.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 47
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: High School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Evaluation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alignment (Education)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Standards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Standards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Districts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade 9
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Grade 10
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Science
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nevada
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Evaluating the Alignment and Impact of the OpenSciEd Biology Curriculum in Secondary Classrooms
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          Name:
            NameFull: Marivina Van Zandt
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          Dates:
            – D: 31
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: Online Submission
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