North Marion board adopts new math, science and ELD materials across grades

The North Marion School Board approved a set of recommended curriculum adoptions intended to align classroom materials across grade bands and support academic language development.

For primary math, the board approved an independent adoption of the Bridges mathematics program for kindergarten through grade 2, with presenters saying the package will include materials for the lifecycle of the adoption. The board also approved science materials for multiple levels: Amplify Science for the primary school, HMH Into Science for the intermediate school, STILE Science for middle school, and STEMscopes and McGraw Hill texts for high school courses. Board members heard that pilots and student surveys — more than 600 student responses in some pilots — informed those recommendations.

The board approved English-language-development (ELD) materials after staff described independent adoptions for primary and intermediate grades and HMH-based suites for middle and high school. Presenters said the adoptions were evaluated against state rubrics where possible and that materials selected for newcomers and early-language learners emphasize academic vocabulary and classroom-level integration.

One presenter noted the district’s goal is to pair curriculum materials with instruction and professional learning so teachers can focus on student discourse and hands-on learning. A board member asked about licensing and whether consumables or copyable black-line masters would be used; presenters said the selected materials provide accessible resources and, in some cases, black-line masters to reduce waste and ongoing costs.

Each adoption was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote during the meeting. The board thanked the selection committees for their work and asked staff to monitor implementation and provide follow-up reports.