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Board adopts new middle‑school math and social‑studies materials; algebra resource decision delayed to June
Summary
Palatine CCSD 15 approved adoption of Carnegie Learning’s middle‑school math solution (three‑year subscription ~$452,000) and TCI’s middle‑school social‑studies suite (four‑year subscription ~$428,000). The board postponed a final recommendation on the algebra course until June.
District staff recommended and the board approved two major middle‑school curriculum adoptions: Carnegie Learning for grade‑level and accelerated middle‑school math, and TCI’s middle‑school programs for social studies.
Tiff Costa, who joined the presentation, summarized the math committee’s review and pilot process and said the committee "unanimously recommends that we adopt Carnegie Bridal School math solution" (committee spelling used in presentation). Tiff described Carnegie as a standards‑aligned program with grade‑level and accelerated tracks, digital supports (Mathia and MathStream), built‑in language and vocabulary supports, and resources for reteaching and enrichment. The committee reported purchasing a three‑year subscription for a total cost of a little over $452,000, including consumable student materials, teacher editions and digital platform access.
The nut graf: District review committees piloted multiple resources, used a rubric aligned to Illinois standards, and prioritized accessibility, problem solving and fluency. For math, the committee also discussed course sequencing and decided to keep an accelerated option in sixth grade while offering foundations courses in later grades. Staff said the algebra resource (an out‑of‑level/high‑school level course) requires additional review; that decision was deferred for a June recommendation.
For social studies, Assistant Director Megan Price summarized the social studies committee’s process and its recommendation to adopt TCI’s middle‑school materials. The committee selected TCI for its routines, primary‑source libraries, multimodal resources, built‑in civics and economics resources and its compatibility with the district’s K–6 TCI usage. The social‑studies adoption is a four‑year subscription priced at about $428,000 and includes print and digital teacher and student editions.
Both adoptions include professional development: May institute sessions, targeted summer work and job‑embedded coaching during the coming school year. Board members asked questions about lesson examples and course sequencing. One member asked for clarification about the difference between "foundations for algebra" and "pre‑algebra/compacted" models; staff said the recommended pathway aims to secure middle‑school standards before students enroll in algebra at the high school level.
The board voted to approve the two adoptions; algebra vendor selection remains open with an expected June recommendation.
