Parents and trustees press MCIU virtual‑academy partner to review world‑history material on Israel before district approval

A parent told the Wissahickon School Board that slides from a world‑history lesson in the MCIU (Montgomery County Intermediate Unit) virtual program presented an unbalanced narrative about Israel and urged the board not to approve the district’s participation until the material is reviewed. The board discussed the concern and said it had contacted the MCIU and the vendor for a review.

Beth Ages, identified in public comment as a parent from Woodpane Township and speaking for the Jewish Families Association, said material she reviewed “was teaching the history of Israel, but it was presented as a one‑sided narrative” and asked how virtual‑academy curriculum is vetted. “This isn’t about politics. It’s about ensuring that our schools promote truth, balance, and safety,” she said.

Board members raised substantive concerns and asked administrators to obtain a full copy of the lesson materials. Board member Marshall said he found the materials “not only incorrect but...inappropriate” and asked for a more complete review before the board commits to the agreement. Dr. Duong (first name used in the meeting), who leads curriculum discussions, told trustees the district had contacted Montgomery County Intermediate Unit executive staff. The MCIU in turn contacted the program vendor, Imagine Learning; the vendor’s vice president of curriculum committed to review the specific lesson and the related module and to report back.

What the board asked for: Trustees asked the administration to obtain the full lesson materials (not just the three slides circulating publicly), to request a timeline for the vendor’s review, and to seek input on proposed changes before approving the district’s participation. Trustees also noted the MCIU program serves all 22 Montgomery County districts and that any problem with vendor content would have broader county impact.

Why it matters: The agreement to participate in the MCIU virtual offerings is on the curriculum agenda for a June 2 vote. Board members said they did not want to deny families access to a virtual option for students who need it but wanted assurances that course content met standards for accuracy and balance before offering particular lessons to district students.

Next steps: District staff said they will ask the MCIU and the vendor for a timeline and will request the full lesson materials and any proposed revisions. The board scheduled its vote on the MCIU agreements for June 2 and said it expects to review the vendor’s response before acting on specific course content.