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Abington Heights board approves K'4 social studies curriculum; civics moved to 11th grade
Summary
The board approved new K'4 social studies materials and an updated high-school course structure that relocates a modern civics course to 11th grade; the vote was unanimous.
The Abington Heights School District Board approved updates to the social studies curriculum, including a newly adopted K'4 curriculum and updated high-school course placements, during its meeting.
During the curriculum committee report board member Gretchen Henderson said the K'4 curriculum had been finalized aside from implementation details for kindergarten through fourth grade and praised the curriculum team: "They did a phenomenal job ... Not only does it meet state standards, but it's also engaging, fun, age appropriate," Henderson said. She specifically thanked "Mr. Calder and his team" for their work developing materials the board reviewed.
At the high school level, administrators described a restructuring of course placements. The board was told that the district decided to move a civics course to 11th grade so it better aligns with the age when students can vote and to provide a culminating, in-depth study at the secondary level. Administrators clarified that civics concepts continue to be taught across grades and that Comparative World Studies (CWS) remains a high-school course.
The board voted to approve the social studies curriculum updates and the associated texts; the motion passed on a roll call vote with six yeses and no dissent.
Board members asked clarifying questions about grade placement and the continuity of civics content across the K'12 program. District staff said students who already took civics in eighth grade will not be required to repeat it in high school but that the 11th-grade placement is intended to provide a deeper, age-appropriate civic experience.
