Board approves new 6–12 English curriculum, with restrictions on choice materials and added board access to materials

The J O Combs Unified School District governing board unanimously approved a recommended 6–12 English language arts adoption and AP English course materials after a multi-month review by a committee of teachers, administrators and community members. The motion passed 5-0 and included board directions about how the district will manage “core,” “enrichment/targeted” and “choice/restricted” materials.

Readers' summary: The committee recommended HMH’s Into Literature for core on-level courses and Perfection Learning for AP coursework (with Bedford, Freeman & Worth and McGraw Hill StudySync named as alternates). The board approved the recommended vendors and asked staff to maintain controls over which materials are open-access to students and which require additional review or board approval.

Committee process and evaluation: Board members heard the adoption committee’s description of a multi-step selection process that included independent teacher review of print materials, vendor demonstrations, committee scoring and a review of third-party evaluations such as EdReports. The committee prioritized alignment to state standards, clear learning outcomes, assessment quality and research-backed materials. Cost analysis presented an eight‑year adoption estimate (the committee noted eight years yields long-term cost savings compared with recurring shorter contracts). The projected average annualized cost presented was about $70,700 per year over an eight-year cycle; district staff said some AP costs will be covered by AP-specific funding streams.

Board directions about materials and access: During discussion board member Horn emphasized parental review and requested that “choice” and “restricted” materials remain behind controlled access; she also asked that board members be given online access to vendor platforms during the curriculum review period. The superintendent and staff clarified the district’s proposed three-layer approach: (1) core materials — open, student-facing content in the student edition; (2) enrichment/targeted materials — excerpts and digital short-reads accessible through teacher assignment and teacher support materials; and (3) choice/restricted materials — novels or long-read texts that would require campus review and board approval before being made available to students. The board’s motion approved the adoption while specifying that restricted choice materials would remain controlled and that supplements identified for the core open-access sections should be shared with the board prior to the 2025–26 school year.

Professional learning and implementation: District staff outlined a professional‑learning plan tied to the adoption that includes initial vendor trainings and follow-up district-led work during professional learning days; board members urged sustained, targeted professional development to ensure teachers use the materials effectively.

What the vote did: The board voted 5–0 to adopt the recommended 6–12 ELA curriculum and AP resources with the conditions discussed on material access and board review. Staff will finalize contractual documents and implement training and rollout plans.

Ending: The approved adoption moves the district to the implementation stage. Staff will return with contract documents, professional-development timelines and any requests for board review of restricted texts or supplements as they arise.