Shenendehowa staff propose new textbooks and courses; Hudson Valley credit pulled for one physics offering
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Summary
District staff presented new textbook and course updates, including plans for new titles, software pilots and changes to college-credit alignments for some classes.
District instructional staff presented the spring Instructional Program Advisory Council update, outlining new textbook purchases, software pilots and course changes the district plans to adopt in coming years.
The presenter (identified in the meeting as the IPAC presenter) listed new or replacement instructional materials that the district intends to purchase: a college-accounting textbook aligned with Hudson Valley Community College course expectations; a medical-terminology textbook and accompanying dictionary for a new medical-terminology course; a one-time-license digital-audio production software package for a new introductory audio-production course; small-reader sets tied to the district’s Foundations program for K–3 early-literacy practice; updated Latin 2 and Latin 3 texts; a new high-school global history and geography platform under a three-year contract; a management and leadership textbook for a new business course; and districtwide typing software to support digital-literacy expectations in grades 3–5.
The presenter said the district piloted typing software at elementary schools and selected a paid product to provide consistent instruction across buildings rather than relying on multiple free tools. For the digital-audio class the presenter said staff selected software intended to be industry-aligned while accessible for beginning students; the chosen product has a one-time cost rather than an annual license.
On college credit alignment, staff told the board that a Regents Physics course the district had previously credentialed through Hudson Valley Community College will no longer carry Hudson Valley credit because course and lab requirements no longer align with Hudson Valley’s construction-trades track. The presenter said the district will “continue to run it as a regular Regents Physics course” rather than force a mismatch between district Regents requirements and the college credentialing path. Separately, staff reported that the district found another course — Masterpieces of Drama and Musical Theater — that does align with a Hudson Valley course and will be offered with the opportunity for college credit where students meet college requirements.
Presenters and board members discussed how course requests determine which electives run, the process for reviewing a course’s success over several years, and how staff will monitor the new resources on multi-year cycles. The board was told the detailed memo appended to the meeting agenda lists the exact textbook titles, vendor names and license terms.
Board members asked for clarifications on pilot results and how the district decides on college-credit partnerships; staff referenced conversations with Hudson Valley and said they will continue to seek aligned opportunities.
