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Board approves series of course adoptions and a middle‑school communications pilot
Summary
The Board approved multiple curriculum adoptions — AP biology, AP chemistry, AP physics, law and public safety pathway, and physical education/health resources — and authorized a middle‑school communications course pilot to begin next fall.
District academic leaders presented several curriculum items on May 12 and the board approved each adoption.
Dr. Holly Putnam Jackson, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, presented a proposal for a middle‑school communications course pilot to be included in tech and career pathway options. The pilot would not be implemented until next fall and would include publisher texts and online projects (typing.com).
The board also approved Derby High School course adoptions covering an Introduction to Law and Public Safety (Cengage) pathway; AP Biology (McGraw Hill), AP Chemistry (Chemistry: A Molecular Approach), and AP Physics resources; and physical education, health, wellness, nutrition and lifetime fitness resources (Goodheart‑Wilcox and supplemental media). In one exchange a board member asked about a newly passed state law concerning a fetal‑development video; staff said they would identify the appropriate course and bring that specific video forward for separate review.
Votes: Each curriculum or pilot item passed on May 12 with the board recording unanimous votes (7–0) for the adoptions and pilot approvals.
Why it matters: Course adoptions shape instruction, graduation pathways and curriculum alignment with state standards; approvals allow teachers to order materials and plan for the 2025–26 school year.
Next steps: The middle‑school pilot will be implemented in fall 2025 if materials and pilot logistics are finalized. Staff will handle any course-specific review required by new state laws before showing related video materials.
