Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum World Language Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears first reading on new world language curricula; committee recommends Wayside, Klett, VISTA and Level Learning
Summary
The Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board on March 6 received a first reading of recommended new world language curricula and supplemental materials for grades K–12, with cabinet backing and an estimated seven‑year cost of roughly $1 million for 7–12 materials and $76,000 for K–6 Mandarin.
PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — The Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board on March 6 received a first read of recommendations from its World Language adoption committees and subcommittees covering 7–12 Spanish and French curriculum resources, supplemental materials, and K–6 Mandarin for Whispering Wind Academy’s dual language immersion program.
Cheryl Copeland, K–12 social studies and world language curriculum specialist and facilitator for the committees, outlined a multi‑month, open‑meeting process that included vendor proposals, public displays, teacher review sessions and a 60‑day public comment period. Copeland said the committees narrowed seven initial submissions to recommended finalists and then to the following vendor recommendations for board consideration at second read on April 3.
“This adoption is made possible through District Additional Assistance Override funds, which are specifically designated for curriculum,” Copeland said during the presentation.
What was recommended
- 7–12 Spanish: Wayside Publishing recommended for grades 8–12 lower level and upper-level (honors, AP, IB and dual enrollment); VISTA’s Encuentros recommended for a seventh‑grade intro course. - 7–12 French: Klett World Languages recommended for grades 9–12 upper-level French (honors, AP, IB and dual enrollment). - Supplemental materials: a subcommittee compiled a recommended list of supplemental resources evaluated for instructional alignment and data/privacy compliance; the list was posted for 60‑day community review. - K–6 Mandarin (Whispering Wind Academy): Level Learning recommended as the tier‑1 curriculum; Chairman’s Bao recommended as a supplemental resource for grades 3–8.
Process and cost
Copeland described a process that began in September, included vendor demonstrations, teacher review days and a district‑wide community display. The committee reported receiving 19 pieces of community feedback during the review window and used a rubric aligned to ACTFL proficiency guidelines and Arizona standards. Committee members told the board they reviewed best‑and‑final cost proposals; administrators said the recommended 7‑year 7–12 package would cost approximately $1,000,000 and the Mandarin materials approximately $76,000. Cabinet supports the recommendation; the funding source named for these materials was District Additional Assistance (DAA) override funds.
Next steps
Board members asked about digital components, consumable student workbooks, and publication dates for vendor materials. Copeland confirmed each vendor offers a digital platform with audio, video and interactive components and that consumable student workbooks are included in the seven‑year contract for year‑by‑year needs. The adoption will return for a second read and potential approval at the board’s April 3 meeting.
Speakers quoted or cited in this article are identified in the speaker list below.
