School board approves new world-language materials; 30‑day objection period begins

The Manatee County School Board approved recommended instructional materials for world-language courses (grades 6–12) on Feb. 24 as part of the consent agenda, starting a 30‑day public objection period required by state adoption rules.

Mr. Jensen and curriculum staff described a five‑year adoption cycle and a committee process that included teachers, administrators and community volunteers. The Spanish committee selected Carnegie Learning’s K Chevere; the French committee selected CLEP World Languages’ Reporters Francophones. Staff said both products include hardcover student texts, consumable workbooks and digital resources that integrate with the district’s Schoology learning-management system.

If no formal objections are filed in writing to the instructional materials department during the 30‑day window, district staff will place orders so materials are ready for summer shipment and classroom use next school year. Curriculum staff noted that all reviewed materials had already been approved by the Florida Department of Education for adoption and that committee meeting minutes and publisher materials are posted on the district website.

Board members asked technical questions about dialect exposure and compatibility with devices and privacy requirements. Mr. Jensen said publishers must complete an IT prescreening for compatibility and privacy compliance before committee review. A board member asked specifically whether French materials introduce dialectal variation; staff said the text introduces students to French‑speaking cultures beyond France but that dialect instruction was not the central focus.

The instructional-materials adoption is estimated to cost about $750,000 for classroom materials across the district; following the objection period, staff will proceed with procurement.