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Board approves secondary Spanish curriculum after multi‑month review; teachers reported high support
Summary
After piloting materials and surveying teachers, the Salem‑Keizer board approved implementation of Spanish 1–4 and AP Spanish Literature materials as a second reading on June 10; the district said teacher support for the selected options was strong.
The Salem‑Keizer School District Board approved on June 10 the district's recommendation to implement newly selected secondary Spanish curricular materials for Spanish 1–4 and AP Spanish Literature and Culture.
Director Eric Jesperson summarized a multi‑month adoption process that included a steering committee, teacher pilots and a survey. According to the presentation, 83% of Spanish 1–4 teachers and 100% of AP Spanish Literature teachers who responded supported moving forward with the recommended materials. Jesperson said the final committee unanimously recommended the selected resources based on alignment with standards, instructional practice and digital resources.
The materials named in the presentation included EntreCulturas (Wayside Publishing) for Spanish 1–4 and the recommended AP Spanish Literature and Culture materials identified by the committee. Jesperson said the Spanish teachers requested extra time in May for final review and that tonight's vote was the board's follow‑up to earlier readings.
Dr. Sandagiri moved to approve implementation of the secondary Spanish curriculum; the motion was seconded by Director Lisa Harnish and passed on a voice vote. Board members asked whether district review looked at international benchmark data; staff said they had consulted national consultants and national examples and that the district also tracks local outcomes such as the Seal of Biliteracy (about 380 students celebrated this year).
Staff and board members noted the connection between world‑language instruction, dual‑language programs and Seal of Biliteracy outcomes.
Provenance: The curriculum items were discussed in the action items portion of the June 10 meeting as a second reading for Spanish materials and a request for approval.
