District curriculum committee recommends Savvas Learning and other resources for social studies; K–4 declines new purchases
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Summary
Dr. Scott Shipley reported the district’s social‑studies committee reviewed vendors and recommended Savvas Learning for several grades and courses, My World for certain middle‑grade materials and BFW Publishing for AP Psychology; K–4 teachers recommended no new purchases to be fiscally responsible. Samples will be made available for parent preview before next month’s approval vote.
Dr. Scott Shipley, director of curriculum, briefed the board on the district’s social‑studies adoption process on Feb. 9 and presented committee recommendations for resources.
Shipley said the district follows a six‑year rotation for curricular areas and convened a committee in September that included teacher representatives from each grade level and three parent volunteers. The committee screened multiple vendor programs and used a rubric to narrow choices; top vendors presented in January.
He said K–4 teacher committees decided not to recommend a purchase this year, citing fiscal stewardship and continued use of supplemental materials they already possess. The district’s intermediate (fifth grade) and selected middle‑school grades recommended Savvas Learning for core social‑studies courses; Shipley said the high school recommended Savvas for several social‑studies courses and BFW Publishing for AP Psychology. Shipley said samples and vendor materials will be available at the district office for parent review before the board considers approval at the next meeting.
Shipley also reported the district removed 60 novels from the approved novel list across several grade levels because the texts were outdated or no longer in use; teachers would need to re‑submit any removed titles they want reinstated. He said the facts/faculty area updated a human services pathway and recommended a new resource to align with a new course called Counseling and Mental Health Services.
Clarifying details: Shipley said three parents participated on the adoptions committee; the transcript lists recommended vendors and the removal of 60 novels. He did not request formal approval for purchases at the Feb. 9 meeting; he indicated the board will be asked to approve recommended resources at a subsequent meeting.
