Department of Education unveils new history curriculum with teacher collaboration in Massachusetts

The North Andover School Committee meeting on June 5, 2025, spotlighted significant advancements in the district's curriculum, particularly the rollout of the new "Investigating History" program. This initiative, developed in collaboration with teachers and history scholars, aims to provide a culturally responsive and inclusive curriculum aligned with Massachusetts standards.

Since the introduction of new history and social studies frameworks in 2018, educators have faced challenges in finding suitable curriculum materials. To address this gap, the Department of Education created "Investigating History," which has been piloted in various grades over the past few years. Full implementation is anticipated for grades 3 to 7 by September 2026. The program has already shown promise, with teachers reporting benefits such as multiple perspectives and high expectations, although challenges remain in pacing and assessment clarity.

Teachers expressed a willingness to collaborate and provide feedback, indicating optimism about the curriculum's potential despite some concerns regarding engagement levels. The meeting also highlighted the successful integration of "Arts and Letters," a new curriculum for grades 6 to 8, which builds on the existing "Wit and Wisdom" framework while addressing teachers' feedback about lesson pacing and content volume.

In addition to literacy advancements, the district is preparing for a full rollout of "Eureka Math Squared" for grades K-5, which promises to enhance students' mathematical proficiency through increased focus on literacy skills. The transition to this updated curriculum is expected to be smoother due to its continuity with previous materials.

Overall, the discussions at the meeting underscored a commitment to improving educational outcomes through thoughtful curriculum development and teacher collaboration, setting a positive trajectory for North Andover's students.