Board adopts new social-studies and CTE instructional materials; approves AP Psychology with companion guide after debate

The St. Tammany Parish School Board on March 13 voted to adopt new high-school social-studies instructional materials and to approve a career and technical education (CTE) textbook package, and it attached a condition to the AP Psychology adoption requiring a companion guide to address community concerns about sensitive content.

Board action and key votes

- Social-studies adoption: The board approved recommendations from the curriculum committee to adopt new high-school social-studies materials, including vendor selections for AP and on-level courses. The motion to accept the committee's recommendations was made by Ms. Hanson and seconded by Mr. Green. The vote recorded in the minutes was 8 yeas, 4 nays and 1 abstention. A friendly amendment requiring a companion guide for AP Psychology was added before the vote; the guide will be developed by district staff with stakeholder input.

- Career and technical education (CTE) adoption: The board voted to adopt new CTE materials as recommended by the curriculum committee. The motion was made by Ms. Fontenelroy and seconded by Ms. Baker. The vote was 7 yeas and 6 nays.

Why it matters

The adoptions replace older texts and add digital and print…