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Committee reviews U.S. history and AP Environmental Science textbook requests, holds recommendation
Summary
Administrators reviewed adopting an American history text for eighth grade as the district reassigns US1 from ninth to eighth grade and discussed purchasing updated AP Environmental Science texts (10 hardcovers at $162 each or ebooks at $83.90); the committee held off on a recommendation pending price and sample review.
The Kutztown Area School District policy/curriculum committee reviewed two textbook matters: shifting an American history text into eighth grade as part of a course‑sequence change, and purchasing updated AP Environmental Science textbooks to meet College Board recommendations.
Committee members heard that the district is moving the United States history sequence so eighth grade would take American History 1 (previously taught in ninth grade). Administration presented a textbook series previously used in ninth grade and asked teachers to evaluate a middle‑school edition for grade‑appropriate text levels. A staff member said the district can secure a class set of student hardbound copies and digital licenses; administrators will collect price quotes and sample copies for review prior to a board decision.
On AP Environmental Science, staff noted current copies are more than ten years old and College Board guidance recommends newer editions. The administration proposed purchasing 10 hardcover student copies at $162 each, with e‑book options priced at $83.90; a review copy is currently available to the committee. Because committee members lacked complete pricing and review time, they did not make a formal recommendation and asked administration to include finalized costs and sample materials on the board agenda for the upcoming meeting.
Committee members also noted two instructional support products—ALEKS (math intervention) and Lexia (literacy)—will remain available for targeted small groups though ALEKS subscriptions may be reduced based on usage data.
Next steps: administration will collect pricing and sample copies and supply final cost figures and recommendations to the full board for first reading.
