Educator Jeanette Schottie criticizes Arizona's Beyond Textbooks curriculum investment

During the Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) Board Meeting on May 6, 2025, a passionate public comment highlighted significant concerns regarding the district's educational framework, "Beyond Textbooks." Jeanette Schottie, a veteran educator with 28 years of experience, criticized the program for being neither research-based nor effective in supporting teachers and students.

Schottie revealed that the district has invested over $400,000 into "Beyond Textbooks" since 2015, including costly training sessions for a select few teachers. Despite this financial commitment, she argued that the program lacks a structured curriculum, offering only a disorganized collection of worksheets and test banks. This absence of cohesive lesson planning and assessments has left many educators struggling to find appropriate materials, particularly in subjects like physical science, which are not included in the framework.

"The results are clear," Schottie stated, pointing to declining test scores as evidence that students are not receiving the structured learning they need. She urged the board to reconsider their investment in a system that she claims does not serve the educational needs of teachers or students. Instead, she called for a shift towards high-quality, evidence-based curriculum that aligns with Arizona standards.

The board's response to public comments is limited, as they cannot discuss items not on the agenda. However, Schottie's remarks have raised critical questions about the effectiveness of current educational resources and the allocation of taxpayer funds in the district. As the board moves forward, the implications of her comments may prompt further examination of the curriculum and its impact on student achievement.