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Columbia Heights to consider Amplify ELA, Envision math for grades 6–8 and add high‑school personal finance course
Summary
District staff recommended Amplify ELA and Envision math for grades 6–8 and proposed a new high‑school personal finance course to comply with state graduation requirements. The board heard the informational presentation and will consider formal adoption May 27.
Columbia Heights Public Schools staff presented a curriculum update May 13 recommending adoption of Amplify for 6–8 English language arts and Envision for 6–8 mathematics, and proposed a new high‑school personal finance course required by recent state legislation.
Director Tuckrell said the presentation was informational and that staff "will be returning on the May 27 seeking approval of the adoption of a 6 8 ELA, English Language Arts curriculum, Amplify" and related math materials. Teaching and learning coordinators Emily Gartner and Sarah Matosovic described the teacher review process and teacher rankings: Envision math was the unanimous first choice among district middle‑school math teachers and was praised for a mix of explicit and inquiry instruction, built‑in assessment and multilingual support. Matosovic said teachers ranked Amplify first for ELA, noting rigorous lessons that include reading, writing, listening and speaking and a robust, diverse online text library.
Staff explained cost structures: the Envision math quote presented was a three‑year recurring cost for student access and the online platform with professional development listed as a one‑time cost; Amplify ELA was shown as an annual recurring cost with a one‑time professional development fee. Staff also proposed expanding functional phonics and morphology at Columbia Academy to align with elementary practices.
On implementation timing, staff recommended starting sixth grade next fall for both ELA and math and phasing up to seventh and eighth grades in subsequent years depending on budget decisions. Regarding the personal finance law passed during the 2023 legislative session, Director Tuckrell said the district would like to start the new course "this fall" so current ninth graders can complete the requirement prior to graduation.
The presentation was informational; there was no vote. The board asked clarifying questions about timelines and daily scheduling at Columbia Academy. Staff said they would collect impact data from sixth grade (where literacy and math will be moved to everyday instruction) and propose plans for seventh and eighth grade based on outcomes and budget. The curriculum and the personal finance course are scheduled for formal consideration at the May 27 board meeting.
