District recommends Teachers Curriculum Institute for middle‑school social studies; $278,471.60 adoption proposed
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Summary
Aurora East USD 131 staff recommended adopting the Teachers Curriculum Institute (TCI) middle‑school social studies materials following an 18‑teacher pilot; the six‑year adoption, including digital and print materials and professional development, was recommended as an action item for the March 16 board meeting with a total cost of $278,471.60.
District curriculum staff presented results from a middle‑school social studies pilot and recommended the Teachers Curriculum Institute (TCI) as the district’s middle‑school social studies resource, proposing a six‑year adoption that would include physical and digital teacher and student materials plus professional development.
Olalia Valdez, executive director for curriculum and instruction, described the pilot process—materials evaluation criteria, classroom pilots, teacher feedback and analysis—and said two curricular options were piloted: Cengage National Geographic and Teachers Curriculum Institute. Valdez reported that 18 teachers participated in the pilot (15 classroom teachers and 3 instructional coaches) and that teacher evaluations favored TCI across the categories measured.
Valdez said the recommended adoption would cost $278,471.60, include both physical and digital access, and be presented as an action item at the March 16 board meeting. Staff also noted the materials will be available for community review at the administrative center (Door No. 1) for one month before the board action.
Committee members asked where to review materials and how many teachers participated; staff confirmed 18 participants and that all pilot teachers responded to the survey. No formal vote occurred; the committee received the recommendation and staff requested the full board consider the item at its March meeting.
