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Franklin SSD outlines science textbook adoption schedule; public review set for April 1
Summary
District curriculum staff described the state-aligned science textbook adoption process, upcoming public review April 1 and committee decision April 2 that will produce a recommendation to the board in May.
At the Franklin Special School Districts March meeting, Curriculum and Professional Learning Supervisor Dr. Summer Carlton explained the districts process for the 2025 science textbook adoption and the opportunities for teacher and public input.
Dr. Carlton said Tennessees adoption process is governed by Tennessee Code Annotated and the State Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission, and that local districts must choose materials from the states approved list or obtain a waiver to use materials not on that list. She told the board that all books under consideration in Franklin are on the states approved list and therefore align with Tennessee academic standards.
Key dates and steps announced by Dr. Carlton:
- April 1: Public review and comment period, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the PAC connector gallery, when parents and community members may examine potential textbooks. - April 2: The science textbook adoption committee will meet to reach a consensus on a recommendation to forward to the board for approval in May.
Dr. Carlton described the textbook committee composition required under state law: teachers, administrators, supervisors and parents who have children enrolled in the district. She said teachers and supervisors on the committee must be teaching or supervising the grade or subject under review at the time of appointment, must be licensed and must have three or more years of public-school experience.
Board members asked whether parents would be notified of the April 1 review; Dr. Carlton said the review would be announced on social media. A board member asked how many parents typically serve on a committee; Dr. Carlton said usually one to three.
If the board approves a recommendation in May, Dr. Carlton said the district will schedule personalized professional learning for teachers to begin in summer 2025 and continue through the adoption period as needed.
