Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum Adoptions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board review: new K–5 math, middle‑school ELA and STEM course plans; several curricular resources recommended for approval
Summary
District curriculum staff recommended multiple resource and course updates including K–5 math (proposal to adopt i‑Ready), Into Literature for grades 6–8, new AP coursework and a newly written high‑school STEM course.
District curriculum staff presented several instructional recommendations and resource pilots the board will act on at a forthcoming meeting or has recommended for approval.
What administrators presented - Elementary music: Teachers piloted two resources. Natalie Renko, the district’s humanities curriculum supervisor, said staff recommend Musicplay for grades K–2 and Essential Elements (which includes NoteFlight composition tools and supports band/orchestra) for upper elementary so general music teachers have age‑appropriate materials across K–5.
- PebbleGo: District librarians recommended extending the PebbleGo informational database license for three more years; administrators said usage reports show sustained teacher and student engagement and that PebbleGo supplies audio read‑alouds, vocabulary supports and lesson plans.
- Middle‑school ELA: Middle‑school English teams piloted two programs and recommended Into Literature (HMH) for grades 6–8 because of teacher‑rated ease of use, assessment tools, differentiated supports and continuity with Into Reading used in K–5.
- New/expanded high‑school courses: The district is adding AP African American Studies (using a College Board‑approved textbook already used in the district’s black history course) and proposed a printmaking elective; administrators said the printmaking course may run only if minimum enrollment thresholds are met and additional materials costs will be sought if the class runs.
- K–5 math and middle school math resources: The STEM/curriculum team recommended a refreshed K–5 math curriculum and proposed adopting i‑Ready for K–5 (to align vertically with the middle‑school i‑Ready use). Administrators said i‑Ready provides a diagnostic three times per year, personalized learning pathways, built‑in progress monitoring and included professional learning supports. The team recommended a four‑year i‑Ready contract for K–5 to create continuity. For high‑school math, staff proposed continuing/adding Mathematic (open online lessons with paid assessment access) for alignment across Algebra 1 through Precalculus; they recommended a one‑year Desmos license for targeted high‑school activities.
- STEM / Project Lead The Way replacement: Curriculum leaders said they had written a new high‑school STEM course to replace the district’s prior Project Lead The Way pathway; the new course covers simple machines, fluid power, electricity, robotics, artificial intelligence and automation aligned to Pennsylvania Science Technology and Engineering (STEE) standards and includes engineering practices and systems thinking.
Why it matters: administrators said the recommendations are intended to create a guaranteed, vertically coherent curriculum from elementary through middle school, improve assessment and progress monitoring, and provide more consistent instructional supports for diverse learners. Several directors asked about pilot and vendor vetting processes after the board described past experiences with digital platforms; administrators said they will refine the pilot and evaluation timeline and consult neighboring districts that have used the products.
Next steps Most of the curriculum adoptions will be brought to the board for formal approval at the district’s next action meeting; administrators also said they will provide usage reports, pilot rubrics and cost breakdowns for the recommended purchases.
Ending: The board discussed costs and the need for careful vendor evaluation and agreed to review detailed cost and implementation plans before final contract approvals.
