[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6348122,"mediaKeyId","2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57","parentId",2243255,"title","Committee approves Superkids renewal for primary literacy; district negotiated lower price","audioSeconds",1121,"startMs",6109000,"endMs",7230000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57&start=6109&end=7230","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57/thumbnail_6109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348122/Pennsylvania/Committee-approves-Superkids-renewal-for-primary-literacy-district-negotiated-lower-price","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348122-57ac0f32984a2258a6fac49ef05fa57e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=mkZUNWFRqsaFe-6mSRlxco-q8SVG0DqOThCEIv~jBdzbhtDwsum32YDWV6ibqt9rSVCrIolVtQvW8zJFadeMvVqayuJdehB68YtiHYsQ4EgvvmIXkP8W~W3~xJYlq2b0uP9SHwNB0JjqZGCe9eViKx0kg8G5MxL6XmiLeEPfPJCW1B-UjDGTIiA~jTG9EB9NXJWZaOy3E3CQOa05hccgDC6ubRMMMBNIZpsC5Co3aOJlfYpEEWfA0krCiRPRBuvYaVfLFvKA3JSzn-MBml7R53-b55OL-EEsPrm2FLMmYTscM1MPocOwqPRZ9ZkAZQRsP0P~wJVTYHPskA0nV-Hzmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","East Stroudsburg Area School District","date","2025-02-07T01:00:29.627Z","article","The Education/Policy & Review Committee voted to recommend that the Board approve purchase of the Superkids primary literacy program for the early elementary grades.

Dr. Bradley and district curriculum staff presented a phased rollout plan: implement the publisher’s updated kindergarten materials in 2025‑26, add first grade the following year and second grade in 2027‑28 so that students encounter the same characters as they move through the primary years. Presenters said the publisher had updated characters and online portals and that the district owns the previous six years of materials; they argued a phased approach would avoid confusing students by introducing characters that would not appear in subsequent grades.

Staff reported they negotiated the publisher’s initial quote down after three rounds of discussions; the figure cited at the committee recommendation was $93,008.72 to be funded through the 2024‑25 curriculum and instruction budget. Presenters said the negotiated savings represented a six‑figure reduction from the original vendor pricing and that some of the savings came from removing a $5,000 shipping charge and other adjustments.

During discussion board members asked about current availability of materials if the purchase was delayed; staff said the district still owns years of previous materials but preferred consistency for students as the program moves to its updated characters and teacher portal. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote; the recommendation will go to the full Board for final purchase authorization and budget confirmation.

Ending: Staff will process the purchase recommendation to the Board and finalize vendor deliverables and training schedules if the Board approves the contract.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ESASD Education Committee Meeting (February 6)","oneSentenceSummary","The committee recommended that the Board purchase the Superkids primary literacy program; presenters said they negotiated the cost and the committee approved the recommendation by voice vote to forward to the Board.","taxTitle","East Stroudsburg Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",67504,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348127,"Secondary science teachers present STEELS‑aligned curriculum rewrite; committee flagged textbook/resource listings",1312,4788000,6100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57&start=4788&end=6100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57/thumbnail_4788000.jpg","/articles/6348127/Pennsylvania/Secondary-science-teachers-present-STEELSaligned-curriculum-rewrite-committee-flagged-textbookresource-listings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348127-f53a9efe2f7594cff3290affc16e67f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=c0hjT~CgGqvihy8lE43eL704aLZ0fm3jBBgbygSqTSE2VdRZYPRS~tyNVGERf-k1~sG5kSbbV-ONs3mmRIAnjv6fQ4aV4e-asMUVUgxHp~yCXu6aQVzIJTVyKtA9uGvAVseWYSmx4unqiLwfl83fSo8vuB-~KMl55YrnkklduJBMdx~GeUkvYq~m9gK8kZo0focVWEpaPwtlXzNaDPxMAoe9ND24rrkTa0HOO639jVp-m8afuOOyVI8-TwOBrCSKW8aagxnC11OVziF43l-T80YSYkzILlb9TrmWhZLUmVzGJv4IgFgSo34d9Ar0zfiIjLhlG6-ibKCH-lZXsE8qIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","High‑school science teachers presented a comprehensive rewrite of secondary science courses to align with Pennsylvania’s STEELS (science, technology, engineering, environmental literacy and sustainability) standards and described the work as a multi‑year effort that emphasizes phenomena‑based learning.

DJ Scott, a South High School teacher, said the curriculum was written for 24 courses across four academic levels and designed so “students become scientists” by engaging in measurable, phenomena‑based performance tasks rather than only memorizing content. Teachers described extensive professional development, cross‑school alignment between North and South, publisher review and attention to language accessibility for learners with diverse needs.

The presenters recommended a professional judgment to increase the district’s science graduation requirement from three credits to four credits, citing concerns that students who take three credits (often general science and biology plus a third elective) may not be exposed to specific physics standards unless they select physics as an elective. Committee members asked whether the proposed three‑credit schedule could meet all STEELS standards for every student; presenters replied that some standards are only met by courses such as physics or environmental science and that raising the requirement would reduce choice and increase coverage.

Board members and staff also discussed textbook and resource approval. Presenters said major publishers had materials that did not align with the new standards and that, for some courses—especially engineering—publishers have moved away from single physical textbooks toward mixed or open‑source resources. Committee members reminded staff that the Board typically approves texts and asked that resource lists be included in the curriculum packet so the Board can approve materials as part of curriculum adoption.

Ending: Teachers will continue developing course plans and resource lists; several staff members plan to attend the National Science Teachers Association conference for additional resources; the committee asked staff to return with explicit textbook/resource listings for Board review.","Secondary science teachers presented a districtwide rewrite to align high‑school science to Pennsylvania STEELS standards and recommended increasing the graduation science requirement; staff also asked the committee to clarify textbook and resource approvals before Board adoption.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348132,"Board committee approves draft 2025–26 program of studies after curriculum cleanup; staff flagged remaining edits",718,3807000,4525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57&start=3807&end=4525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57/thumbnail_3807000.jpg","/articles/6348132/Pennsylvania/Board-committee-approves-draft-202526-program-of-studies-after-curriculum-cleanup-staff-flagged-remaining-edits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348132-d00b1d97fa0df210add8b80bd80531e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=RoO61WF~hLN1Pafr-R9HEN0S9it5iyNwpq~jyxGwb5qbDBaeZ25MGyqnWJ8JcbS1x72ajpjdPsGe9Z2AO4jXKMzfrzU42bf-2ELNkRwWX4UvXJngC2VgVw0nGakb6Acg3WcjDro1V24RXYalz~-N8lcPIo6QUaCFsTegkeW0-pm1yuARTw-GpI0kEGGpmAUYdb0RfGL0UgZLyGkHOXqW2JZVvLjXzeWX3Sywa5qR56PdbdUOkPqrmcoMajOmztoLNdxZFgD~ke7Ofgko~fXe5gJ9eOC6Ot7E9BZzZzhpTLWs-tO7BLDw4TWVq16X4h8auK1Cyp~xDrbf6-m34jGbCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The East Stroudsburg Area School District Education/Policy & Review Committee reviewed proposed updates to the 2025–26 program of studies and recommended approval to the full board.

Presenters told the committee the document is a “cleanup” focused on consistency (for example standardizing Roman numerals), updated course titles and descriptions, alignment to current curriculum‑cycle updates, and removal or every‑other‑year scheduling for low‑enrollment courses. Department chairs proposed removing some obsolete listings—such as computer applications no longer taught in mathematics—and reallocating content where needed. The Business, Family & Consumer Sciences, Science, World Language, English, Mathematics and Social Studies sections all contained targeted edits tied to departmental curriculum cycle work, presenters said.

Among specific changes noted by staff: reducing Everyday Living from a one‑credit to a 0.5‑credit course in Family & Consumer Sciences because many career‑education standards will move to Personal Finance; placing low‑enrollment courses such as Forensic Science on an every‑other‑year offering; and adding the newly approved Introduction to Engineering course for high schools. Presenters cautioned the draft remains a working document; after the cycle edits are finalized, staff will repaginate and correct remaining layout and wording inconsistencies before publication.

A board motion to recommend approval of the 2025–26 program of studies passed by voice vote during the committee meeting. The committee also discussed NCAA eligibility notes (applied math and NCAA guidance) and asked staff to provide supporting documentation where course designations affect college eligibility.

Ending: Staff will continue to refine the program of studies and return corrected pages and resource lists to the curriculum office before the Board’s final vote.","Committee members reviewed a multi‑department update to the district’s 2025–26 program of studies, including course renaming, prerequisite updates and low‑enrollment adjustments; the committee recommended the program of studies to the full board and the motion passed by voice vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348137,"District plans two‑stage rollout of mandated personal‑finance requirement; SmartFutures platform questioned",1698,1740000,3438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57&start=1740&end=3438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57/thumbnail_1740000.jpg","/articles/6348137/Pennsylvania/District-plans-twostage-rollout-of-mandated-personalfinance-requirement-SmartFutures-platform-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348137-371a003e62cf3fa9a32ea412405bd20f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=QW0hJGp1OvAz0bhKCp1IXQcsXc5jivR3~5Cc-pcLgB1yZtp5slA36ufnT2qdRXucuXAu1~xVS0EP8YTWh~1vvVIpR6wGz28a5bmH7~~M6DFjYBIRneBU1d0stDNYZvaD1FxjeKSNcbyX6pJ4NWedooXzF2b46jnpRRayfYVxWY7KAdoaYB~20q3qkKuesJuVZAVOVG9CeENGuM1f6UJw56J484OKN8L8LIPAys~jdnxdW7nVNI6kAX0vNDxQEP0q9zSK-xKwvmlAIsSk~vZMRJCdZSeNWQUPcqqLa8wL7HvJJD2oVUkhPlBVLWSyZWvdoUpJq2hUtZEaf7Fh~YQqJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Stroudsburg Area School District staff presented a two‑stage plan to comply with Pennsylvania personal‑finance requirements by adding Personal Finance I for ninth graders and Personal Finance II for juniors.

The district's written plan makes Personal Finance I a freshman course that introduces basic age‑appropriate finance topics and career education/work standards; Personal Finance II would follow in eleventh grade with deeper topics such as credit, loans, investments, budgets, mortgages and college financing. Staff said the freshman course can be implemented next year with no additional staffing and no extra cost if the district reallocates some existing credits; the second course would be phased in the following year to allow principals and the new superintendent time to evaluate staffing needs.

Teachers and department chairs asked whether the courses should be offered on applied/CP/honors tracks. After discussion the committee indicated support for offering the College Prep (CP) and Honors levels initially and reassessing after one year; staff described a plan to differentiate assignments and assessments to meet diverse student needs while maintaining common learning objectives.

Committee members also pressed staff on SmartFutures, the online platform used to store career and work artifacts and to report to the Pennsylvania Information Management System (PIMS). Presenters said SmartFutures currently houses junior‑ and senior‑year artifacts the district must keep for reporting, but many board members and teachers reported weak student engagement with the platform and high cost. Staff said they would review options—possibly negotiating a lower SmartFutures price if used only as a reporting warehouse or exploring alternative platforms—rather than drop the repository while still required to report to PDE.

Staff described other program adjustments tied to the rollout: reducing the current Everyday Living course from 1.0 to 0.5 credit to avoid duplication of career‑education standards, and considering shifting an existing credit such as computer literacy to accommodate Personal Finance II within graduation credit requirements. The district expects the class of 2029 to be the first cohort able to complete both Personal Finance I and II under the proposed timeline.

Ending: The committee signaled support for CP and Honors tracks for the new courses and asked staff to refine scheduling, staffing and SmartFutures cost options ahead of final Board approval.","The committee reviewed a two‑stage plan to require Personal Finance I for ninth graders and Personal Finance II for juniors, discussed course level (CP/honors) and the district's use of SmartFutures as an artifacts warehouse. The committee tentatively agreed to offer College Prep and Honors tracks and evaluate after one year.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348141,"East Stroudsburg staff pursue NCC grant to expand dual enrollment; teachers may need extra graduate credits",878,870000,1748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57&start=870&end=1748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2243255-ef41f4966a4e64e313ac6c2a7929ce57/thumbnail_870000.jpg","/articles/6348141/Pennsylvania/East-Stroudsburg-staff-pursue-NCC-grant-to-expand-dual-enrollment-teachers-may-need-extra-graduate-credits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348141-67cfb00d033e8a3bd0aaafa5d5237fb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137877&Signature=Lwmr4XNIQJSlyReOyzUtY3MEbnasKNCGLCakaLBNg2E7ozz0h0p1A6Q5il8SgEEOeltpzZnFVculbzaZh3XFid1z02NmCnAahvCZIDk3lZzDjGz4xzCwe5enmG3ixkCX-UIn10Ayo6M1feDZkgtRpl77zsrgPs4MSBmKb~JQXAaY5gBeJDOa8shUTuIke4SiuweHKOa-iiiLjoXAoBOTaGx9iZKcD22fNPIGP1LgwUKX6pI5WFWCqBecYZY0h8GmnnyD1g0G-foJdmXZIODg~0vYFcu6ilOVrDAoEHn-iXbZ2D965ZSCkQpVItTWkbj1m366caB7ANI~XWm-Mbm9ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","East Stroudsburg Area School District officials described a three-track plan to expand dual enrollment and said Northampton Community College (NCC) has offered a two‑year grant that could pay students' college-credit costs if the district partners with the college.

The proposal outlined three delivery models: students traveling to a college campus for classes; a high‑school delivery model where district teachers (or co‑taught classes with NCC faculty) deliver college‑aligned courses in district buildings; and an online model where students take courses offered externally. Dr. Vitale said the district favors the high‑school delivery model to provide wider student access without adding a direct district cost for students choosing college credit.

District staff told the committee that NCC officials contacted them within 48 hours of an earlier meeting and informed them that federal grant funding for dual enrollment was available with a fast turnaround. The college is targeting two pathways for the district: education (future educators) and an allied‑health pathway. Under the plan students could begin pathway coursework during the spring of their junior year and acquire four to five college credits per semester in their senior year; staff estimated students could graduate with roughly 12 to 15 college credits with no charge to students if the grant is awarded.

Staff discussed one implementation constraint: NCC requires secondary instructors to hold roughly 18 graduate‑level credits in a discipline to be authorized to teach as adjuncts for college credit. District staff said they expect some teachers already meet that threshold while others do not, and NCC indicated the grant could include tuition reimbursement to help teachers earn the needed credits.

Committee members raised operational questions about the MOU, scheduling, and how dual‑enrollment offerings would interact with the union MOU that governs district teachers. Dr. Vitale said the district would not “step on what our teachers are teaching” and suggested co‑teaching or changing tracks if teachers do not meet credential requirements. Board members and staff also discussed prior attempts at offering EMT or emergency‑responder classes in partnership with other providers and noted some previous partnerships had ended when the college declined to continue on‑site offerings.

No formal vote or final agreement with NCC was recorded at this meeting. Staff said they might return to the board in late spring with details if NCC obtains the grant.

Ending: District leaders asked for continued patience while they work through credentialing, scheduling, and grant timelines; they said any final program changes would come back to the board for formal approval.","District leaders described three dual-enrollment models and said Northampton Community College has offered a two-year grant that could cover students' college credit costs and possibly fund teacher tuition to meet adjunct requirements. No board action was taken at this meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves Superkids renewal for primary literacy; district negotiated lower price

Secondary science teachers present STEELS‑aligned curriculum rewrite; committee flagged textbook/resource listings

Board committee approves draft 2025–26 program of studies after curriculum cleanup; staff flagged remaining edits

District plans two‑stage rollout of mandated personal‑finance requirement; SmartFutures platform questioned

East Stroudsburg staff pursue NCC grant to expand dual enrollment; teachers may need extra graduate credits