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Board adopts new English 12 text after teachers report strong pilot feedback
Summary
Mercer Island School District trustees voted to adopt a novel for English 12 after teachers and students reported the pilot increased research and critical‑thinking work; the motion passed and staff said 100 student copies plus audio/PDFs will be available.
The Mercer Island School District board voted to add a recently piloted historical novel to the English 12 core curriculum for the 2026–27 school year after teachers described positive student engagement during a pilot.
Anne Gilmore, an English 12 teacher who led the curriculum presentation, said the book follows multiple generations and connects memoir, history and research skills in a way that bridges students into college‑level inquiry. “It’s a really engaging book … it’s not easy, but it’s at twelfth‑grade level,” Gilmore said, describing how the text prompts research projects and debates in class.
Teachers and students who participated in last year’s pilot supplied feedback, Gilmore said, and she reported that “overwhelmingly, students want this book to continue,” a point other board members cited in discussion.
Board members asked how the district would provide access; staff said the adoption includes about 100 copies along with audiobook and PDF options so classrooms will have multiple formats available for students and teachers.
A motion to approve the adoption was made and seconded; the board recorded the motion as passed (vote noted in the transcript as "2040 favor"). The board did not discuss a fiscal line item for the purchase in detail at the time of the vote.
Next steps: staff will finalize textbook ordering and distribution plans and report back to the board with implementation details and availability for students.
