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Watertown schools begin multi-year curriculum rollout; social studies adoption prompts staff concern
Summary
District staff described a multi-year curriculum implementation covering math, social studies and English language arts and outlined classroom supports and materials purchases. Board members and staff said social studies changes are substantial and some teachers and community members may be uneasy as the district begins the new school year.
Watertown School District 14-4 officials on Aug. 11 outlined a multi-year curriculum rollout that will carry major changes in math, social studies and English language arts across the district, and described teacher training and materials purchases intended to support classroom implementation.
The district’s curriculum director, Tricia, told the school board the district follows the state adoption cycle and is aligning purchases and training to a seven-year cycle so materials and professional development cover the life of each adoption. “We try to make the major purchases that will last the life of that adoption,” Tricia said, adding that curricular work includes selection of textbooks/materials, curriculum maps, pacing guides and common assessments.
District leaders said the 2024–25 year was a math implementation year (illustrative math at K–6; McGraw Reveal and ALEKS alignment at secondary); 2025–26 will include a social studies adoption and technology standards work; English language arts will be the next intensive adoption period. Tricia said the district has emphasized the “science of reading” and phonics work at early grades while starting the ELA…
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