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Director outlines how Kent City Schools selects textbooks and instructional materials
Summary
Karen Romley, director of instructional program, reviewed the district’s materials‑adoption process, criteria (alignment to Ohio standards and the science of reading), committee makeup, piloting and timeline with a recommendation expected by February.
Karen Romley, the district’s director of instructional program, presented an overview of how Kent City Schools evaluates and adopts instructional materials.
Romley said the process centers on selecting high-quality materials aligned to state standards where available, and ensuring resources meet the needs of students with exceptional needs. She described selection committees made up of teachers, administrators and intervention specialists, and said the district uses rubrics and pre-established non‑negotiables (alignment to standards, engagement and accessibility) when reviewing resources.
Romley noted choices can include physical textbooks, e‑texts, subscriptions or open‑source resources and that decisions consider consumable costs, training time and the district’s ability to provide ongoing support. She gave the example of recent changes in advanced placement psychology that required materials better aligned to the course scope.
The timeline Romley described calls for committees to start in the fall, bring a recommendation around February, allow a month for public review, and return to the board for approval so materials can be ordered and in teachers’ hands before summer. She emphasized training and pilot opportunities as part of the adoption process and said the board has a policy and an established process for members of the public to raise concerns about adopted resources.
