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Policy committee weighs equity and assessment language in academic standards and curriculum updates
Summary
Committee reviewed proposed edits to academic standards and curriculum policies, discussed adding equity language and clarifying what 'proficient' means for district assessments, and asked administration to return with revised wording.
The Policy Committee reviewed proposed policy updates that align district curriculum with Pennsylvania state academic standards and recent federal requirements, and members asked administrators to add clearer language about equity and assessment measures.
The review addressed substantive updates recommended by PSBA and by state law. Committee member comments focused on whether the academic-standards policy should explicitly include equity language — for example, language addressing access to curriculum and supports for students historically underserved by standardized measures — or whether such language belongs in a separate equity or nondiscrimination policy.
One board member asked for clarity about what "proficient" means in the policy and whether the district should say "proficient or above." Committee members discussed the audit implications of different word choices and whether aspiring language about "proficient or above" might invite additional scrutiny. The administration offered to propose a modest edit and bring sample language back to the committee.
Administrators also noted that the policy text reflects state academic-standard titles rather than district curricular content, and that curriculum implementation details (including multiple measures and locally chosen assessment tools) would be handled through district practice and administrative regulations. The committee asked the administration to consider adding language on access and equity — while some members suggested placing broader equity language in a dedicated policy so the curriculum policy would remain focused on standards.
The committee asked the administration to: (1) propose revised phrasing about proficiency (suggested: "proficient or above" or an equivalent formulation); (2) indicate where equity language best belongs; and (3) return with revised policy text for the committee and for first reading at the board. No votes were taken on the substance at the Sept. 1 meeting.
