Committee recommends Bedford, Freeman & Worth texts for new AP African American Studies course

The Education and Pupil Services Committee recommended the district adopt Bedford, Freeman & Worth print and digital materials as the curricular resource for the new Advanced Placement African American Studies course and asked the full school board to consider formal adoption at its February meeting.

The committee said the recommendation follows a selection process carried out under Policy 108. The committee reviewed textbooks and digital resources from Bedford, Freeman & Worth; McGraw Hill; and Pearson Education and evaluated readability, teacher resources, primary sources, assessments and alignment to AP exam standards.

Doctor Kelly, a district staff member who presented the item, said, “The committee is recommending the adoption of Bedford, Freeman, and Worth textbooks and their online resources for high school students enrolled in the AP African American studies course.” The presentation said the course was approved by the board at a November meeting and is planned to be offered in the 2025–26 school year.

The committee recommended purchasing 70 student textbooks for a total cost of approximately $12,000 and a multi‑year digital subscription spread over six years. The presentation noted a recurring annual cost of about $2,000 for the six‑year term beginning with the 2025–26 school year. The quote from Bedford, Freeman & Worth was described as including teacher resources and professional development at no additional charge.

A committee member asked whether the print and online materials are duplicates or complementary; Doctor Kelly replied they are “complementary of each other” and that online resources are updated as needed while the adopted copyright is 2025. A board member noted the timing during budget season and said the district should be clear to the public that both formats are intended to be used as a complete instructional package.

This committee action was a recommendation; the committee did not take a formal adoption vote on the textbook itself. Doctor Kelly told the committee the item “would require board action at the February board meeting.” At the meeting close, the committee indicated it was comfortable moving the textbook recommendation forward to the full board for action.

Less critical details: the committee said it followed an administrative regulation in addition to Policy 108 during the review and that publisher teacher resources and professional development were included in the vendor quote.