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Richfield board reviews recommended social studies and math curriculum materials for next school year
Summary
Board members reviewed a K–12 curriculum review aligned to board policies 601 and 612: K–5 staff recommended a Minnesota‑specific social studies program and secondary staff recommended Minnesota Historical Society and TCI materials; math review is beginning with consideration of Bridges (third edition) at the elementary level.
Richfield Public Schools presented the board on April 20 with the results of this year’s curriculum review work and vendor recommendations for social studies and the start of a math review process.
Staff said the K–5 review team recommended exploring a Minnesota‑specific edition titled TCMS Exploring Social Studies Minnesota to increase primary sources and representation of Minnesota indigenous communities. For secondary social studies, reviewers recommended the Minnesota Historical Society’s Northern Lights program for sixth grade and materials from TCI for other middle and high school courses; the district plans summer unit planning and assessment development before implementation in the fall.
At the elementary level district teams recommended evaluating whether to adopt the Bridges mathematics third edition or conduct a full curriculum review. Secondary teams have begun developing rubric criteria and will preview materials at an upcoming Minnesota teachers’ conference. Staff said implementation will be iterative: units and assessments will be launched and adjusted as teachers report gaps.
Board members asked about processes for incorporating community input — including work with indigenous organizations and a native language revitalization grant — and whether chosen texts would include Spanish translations and local perspectives. Administration said vendors had worked with local indigenous groups for Minnesota‑specific materials and that the district had conducted community surveys and targeted outreach as part of the review.
Staff said final selections and unit materials will be refined over the summer and that new social studies materials are planned for classroom use in the coming school year.
