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Bethel Park SD reviews sweeping curriculum proposals: new electives, textbook adoptions and pilot programs
Summary
Administrators presented a package of curriculum council proposals including new electives (astronomy, AP business with personal finance), major personal‑finance course revisions, textbook adoptions and pilots for science and vocabulary programs; the board will vote on proposals in January.
The Bethel Park School District administration presented a broad set of curriculum council recommendations at the board’s regular meeting, outlining course revisions, new electives and textbook purchases that the board will consider for a January vote.
Dr. Walsh and curriculum presenter Joe Villani reviewed outcomes data and explained the bundle of proposals. Dr. Walsh pointed board members to attached ACT and PSSA analyses and summarized the district’s preliminary conclusion: “there is no correlation between what you spend and how students achieve,” he said, noting Bethel Park’s per‑pupil spending is about $17,000 with roughly 67% ELA and 65% math proficiency on PSSA results.
The administration’s proposal set includes: rewriting a high‑school “Principles of Science” course to provide flexible pathways into biology; a one‑semester astronomy elective (curriculum writing and software estimated at $1,900); revisions to the BCIT/business‑math curriculum (not to exceed $4,100 including a textbook); and an AP business course with a personal‑finance strand (not to exceed $4,100 for training and textbook). Sample textbooks for several proposals were put on display in the boardroom.
Administrators also proposed a substantial revision of the personal‑finance course (not to exceed $25,000) that would include five‑year textbook licensing for approximately 196 seats and curriculum writing; presenters said this change is tied to a state graduation requirement and will be implemented beginning with the next year’s juniors. Other recommendations include renaming a 12th‑grade writing course to meet NCAA transcript requirements; adopting Norton’s AP music theory text (estimated $2,700); revising advanced health, sewing and social‑studies course listings; piloting new science materials aligned to the state standards (no immediate cost); and expanding the Membean online vocabulary program to include 6th grade (estimated savings ~$1,800).
Middle‑school transition proposals include a semester‑long Foundations for Success rotation (estimated curriculum writing cost $800) to support social‑emotional and transition skills, and a proposed year‑long world language exploratory in 7th grade (estimated $1,600) that would expose students to multiple languages before selecting an 8th‑grade sequence; presenters acknowledged the world language department does not support that proposal and described tradeoffs tied to sequencing and staffing.
On elementary programming, presenters recommended offering kindergarten music (a 50‑minute rotation, estimated $500) and realigning K–5 health and physical education into a unified 50‑minute rotation that would adopt BrainPOP/BrainPOP Jr. (estimated cost $5,000), citing upcoming changes to state health and PE standards.
Board members asked about staffing and certification for BCIT/business courses; administration said staffing has been budgeted and the district anticipates three full‑time business teachers at the high school next year, converting a current part‑time position to full time and absorbing retirements in existing budgets. Administrators repeatedly emphasized that the proposals are informational at this meeting and will appear on the January agenda for formal votes.
The meeting concluded with no votes on the curriculum proposals; the board adjourned after a motion to close the session.
