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Board hears recommendations for new social‑studies, economics and arts materials; action deferred to allow additional review
Summary
Task‑force teachers recommended new middle‑school social studies, McGraw‑Hill economics for high school, measures‑of‑success for band/orchestra and Digital Theatre Plus. Board asked staff to correct posting links, consider additional vendor materials (per board request), and deferred a final adoption vote to the next action meeting to give teachers more review time.
District 11 curriculum staff and teacher task forces presented recommended adoptions on April 1 for middle‑school social studies, a high‑school economics sequence, updated band and orchestra materials (Measures of Success), and a Digital Theatre Plus adoption for theatre. Each recommendation followed a rubric‑based review and multi‑stakeholder task‑force process that included classroom pilots, vendor presentations and teacher scoring.
Presenters described strengths including alignment to Colorado academic standards, a mix of digital and physical materials, embedded formative tools, and built‑in professional development. Teacher representatives who served on evaluation committees explained that the finalists scored highest on clarity of learning objectives, differentiation supports, and available teacher supports. The band and orchestra task forces emphasized updated methods, play‑along tracks, and integrated assessment; theatre teachers highlighted the value of access to filmed professional productions.
Board members and some teachers raised two concerns: (1) several online review links in the board packet initially pointed to incorrect vendor pages or required clearing a browser cache; staff committed to correcting the links and reposting materials so teachers could review easily; and (2) some board members asked for additional balance in economic units (requests to ensure lessons present both systemic challenges and pathways for upward mobility). In response, staff said they would reopen the economics review window to allow additional materials (including the possibility of district‑requested vendor customizations or consideration of alternate curricula suggested by board members).
Because of the need to correct links and allow further teacher and community review, the board deferred formal adoption and requested that staff return with corrected links, any additional vendor information (including no‑cost options if applicable), and a final recommendation at the next action meeting in May. Staff said negotiated prices and procurement details would be finalized before a purchase order would be issued.
The board emphasized the value of teacher voice and asked that task‑force members be available for follow‑up input; staff said implementation would include professional development days and a phased rollout to ensure teachers and students have access to materials for the next school year.
