Board approves K–12 social studies pilot; committee recommends multiple resources and a phased timeline
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Summary
Trustees approved a districtwide K–12 social studies pilot that will test resources in K–8 and 9–12 on staggered timelines, with parent notification and teacher professional development planned for fall implementation.
The Valley Center USD 262 board unanimously approved a K–12 history, government and social studies pilot after a presentation by district curriculum staff and a 13-teacher committee that spent two years reviewing resources against Kansas standards.
The pilot proposal asks the board to pilot the following resource packages: K–4 — Studies Weekly; grades 5–8 — Teachers Curriculum Institute; grades 7 — additional Kansas-specific resource (Kansas Journey) alongside the geography resource; and grades 9–12 — SABIS Project Imagine for U.S. and world history. The committee weighed 15 instructional resources, used a rubric aligned to KSDE standards and considered longevity, professional development support and access for families.
Timeline and logistics - K–8 pilot: proposed August 12 through May 20 (the entire school year). - 9–12 pilot: proposed August 12 through December (shorter pilot per vendor agreement). - Parent/guardian notification and links to pilot resources would be distributed if the board approves the pilot; professional development is planned to begin in August–September so teachers can learn the materials and develop lesson plans.
Presenter’s rationale The presenter said the committee intentionally used a rubric and multiple review cycles to avoid selecting resources based on preference alone. “Once a resource is piloted, then during those times, we're really just checking in with teachers, how are they doing, allowing them some time to work, lesson plan, curriculum map, all of the things that go along with once you get the resource, that's great, but the real work starts, after that implementation,” the presenter said.
Vote and next steps A board motion to approve the pilot passed 5–0. Staff will issue parent/guardian notifications, continue committee meetings through the pilot and return to the board with interim (January) and final (May) reports and an adoption recommendation for the relevant grade bands.
Ending: District leaders thanked the teacher committee for the two‑year review process and said they will bring pilot findings and an adoption proposal back to the board on the stated timeline.