Board hears debate over social studies unit plans; staff propose using new textbooks aligned to 2011 standards for 2025–26

Anoka‑Hennepin teachers and curriculum staff reported to the school board on Aug. 11 that UBD unit plans for several secondary social studies courses are complete and that the district is recommending use of newly purchased textbooks aligned to the 2011 Minnesota social studies standards for the 2025–26 school year.

Sarah Hunter, executive director for learning and achievement, said the district used a two‑step approach the board approved in April: adopt materials first, then present the UBD unit plans that show how teachers will use the materials in class. "We have completed all of the UBDs that were … needed to be ready for this school year," Hunter said.

Staff said they completed UBDs for four courses: United States Studies 7, World History 11, U.S. History 10 (work ongoing for adoption options) and AP Psychology. Holly Johnson, a seventh‑grade U.S. studies teacher, and Beth Holmgrensson, an Andover High School teacher on the U.S.10 team, joined the presentation to answer board questions about classroom application.

District leaders said the board previously approved purchases of National Geographic textbooks for U.S. Studies 7 and World History 11 in May; the materials have now been aligned to the 2011 standards and packaged into UBDs for board review. "The team has completed that work, and we're ready for your both your feedback and then ideally your approval to move forward," Hunter said.

The session turned to a longer policy and values discussion about Minnesota’s 2021 social studies standards, which add an ethnic‑studies strand and benchmarks that have generated controversy in some Minnesota districts and communities. Board Chair Arco read aloud examples from the 2021 benchmarks, noting language about power, privilege and remedies for historical injustice and called them "divisive" in the meeting's public remarks.

Teachers on the panel said the UBDs presented for board action this month were written to the 2011 standards at the board’s direction. "The materials that you see this evening, are not inclusive of the ethnic studies standards, per board direction," a staff member said. Members of the writing teams added that they prioritized benchmarks as high, medium or low because the full set of benchmarks is too large to cover in depth in a single year.

Board members asked how the district will demonstrate "minimal compliance" with state standards that take effect in future school years and how the district will ensure balanced presentation of controversial topics. The staff replied that the district has been asked to develop a streamlined adoption process and a rubric that could include guidance for identifying contested material and identifying counterpoints or supplementary resources. Superintendent Mike McIntyre said the district will present a draft adoption framework that could be updated to include board guidance on how to treat benchmarks some community members find controversial.

Board members also urged the curriculum team to provide a clear, documented pathway — a rubric or framework — that identifies standards or benchmarks the board views as controversial, and specifies how the district will teach or minimize those benchmarks while remaining aligned to state requirements. Several directors said such a framework would help the teachers writing future UBDs and reassure families.

No adoption votes were taken at the Aug. 11 session. Staff asked the board to consider returning approved UBDs for U.S. Studies 7, World History 11 and AP Psychology at a regular meeting on Aug. 25 so teachers can begin the year with classroom materials. The district said it will bring further recommendations about U.S. History 10 materials, a proposed adoption process and a draft rubric for dealing with controversial benchmarks in the weeks ahead.

Speakers stressed the iterative nature of curriculum work and asked the board to rely on teacher expertise and the two‑step adoption process. "We're trying to incorporate a little bit of what we've done with a little bit that's new and help kids with these skills," Hunter said. Board members asked for continued transparent communication with the public about the steps the district is taking.