Fort Atkinson board tables Inquiry Journeys social‑studies adoption for June review
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Summary
The Fort Atkinson Board of Education on May 16 voted to place Inquiry Journeys (Inquire Ed., 2025) on the table for formal consideration at the June meeting, after staff described the digital program, community review options and bilingual supports.
The Fort Atkinson Board of Education on May 16 placed a proposed elementary social‑studies program, Inquiry Journeys (Inquire Ed., 2025), on the table to be considered at the board's June meeting.
The program, recommended by a teacher selection committee, is digital and includes Spanish language supports and project‑based assessments, staff said. Amy Oakley, director of instruction, told the board the team found the program "exciting" and that it offers "tons of really fun, hands on activities" and stronger alignment with the district's grades 6‑12 programming. Oakley said the district will provide a Chromebook station outside Conference Room B at Luther Elementary for community members to review the materials and that staff can share preview logins on request.
Oakley said the district currently has three fully digital instructional resources (a benchmark phonics program, the science program and the proposed social‑studies program) and that the program is available in Spanish: "It's available in Spanish. So all of the resources are available in Spanish," she said. Board member Mister Lewis, who said he reviewed the material online, told Oakley, "you guys did a really good job of selecting something."
Be it resolved that the following textbook be placed on the table and considered at the June board meeting: Inquiry Journeys elementary social studies, Inquire Ed., 4422 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago; published 2025. The motion was made by Mister Loop and seconded by Missus Reynolds; the board approved the motion by voice vote. The vote recorded an affirmative voice vote; no opposition was raised on the record.
Board discussion emphasized teacher involvement in the review process, access for families without home devices and that the textbooks being replaced are roughly 15–20 years old. Oakley said teachers on the selection committee were eager to pilot the program in classrooms because of its hands‑on, problem‑solving activities.
The item will return at the June board meeting for final action; the district packet includes the written textbook report and an FAQ staff said they distributed to staff.
