Board adopts K–12 social studies curriculum after multi‑school presentations

The Buchanan Community Schools Board of Education on May 18 approved a five‑year, K–12 adoption of Teacher Curriculum Institute (TCI) social studies instructional materials, along with AP Government texts and an Ancient World atlas, following a multi‑building staff presentation and board questions.

Lacey Payne, who led the curriculum presentation, said the proposal aims to "foster an understanding for history and geography, economics, and civic responsibilities" and to "empower students to think critically" through inquiry‑based lessons aligned to the state's C3 framework. Payne told the board the full K–12 package is estimated at $206,131.66 and includes a $40,000 TCI discount, print consumables for lower grades, high‑school print texts and free ongoing professional development from the publisher.

The proposal drew speakers from across grade levels. Fourth‑grade teacher Katie Dietrich said many current elementary texts are outdated and highlighted TCI’s hands‑on, inquiry‑based lessons, digital resources and consumable student workbooks, adding, "Everyone was chit‑chatting — it's amazing — the materials are very, very engaging." Middle‑ and high‑school teachers told the board current materials varied by grade and building and said a unified curriculum would improve vertical alignment, reduce teacher prep burden and provide better access for multilingual and diverse learners.

Board members questioned how culturally diverse perspectives would be taught. Payne and other teachers described classroom activities that let students assume historical roles and reenact economic or civic processes to understand different perspectives. A board committee member praised the vetting process as "well thought out and planned," and administrators said the request is budgeted and would be funded from district resources already identified for that purpose.

During discussion, staff said adopting TCI would allow both print and digital access, which the district sees as important after pandemic experience. They also said adopting the curriculum has led to conversations about elementary schedule adjustments to provide more time for social studies instruction where needed.

On a motion to adopt Teacher Curriculum Institute social studies K–12 (five years), AP Government (Perfection Learning) and Ancient World atlas (Nystrom), the board approved the materials by roll call with board members voting in favor. Board documents listed the requested total as $206,131.66; administration confirmed this was included in budget planning and that implementation would include vendor PD and building‑level alignment work.

The adoption moves the proposal into implementation planning; staff said TCI will provide an initial professional development session and on‑demand PD thereafter, and building leaders will work on schedules and training before the next school year.