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Board reviews proposed U.S. history and civics curricula; recommends TCI for fifth grade, Traverse for secondary
Summary
District staff recommended adopting TCI for fifth-grade social studies and Traverse for secondary U.S. history and civics, citing student pilots, accessibility features (adjustable reading levels, text-to-speech, Spanish translations) and inquiry-based projects; board members pressed for assessment alignment and confirmed costs are in the superintendent's budget.
The Meridian School District on Wednesday previewed recommendations to adopt two new core social-studies curricula, saying the materials tested well in classrooms and include features aimed at English learners and students with differing reading levels.
Adrian Samara, who presented the materials-selection process, told the board the district's identification committee and content experts piloted several options and settled on TCI (Social Studies Alive) for fifth grade and Traverse for secondary U.S. history and civics. "They're aligned with standards, include inquiry projects and have supports like text-to-speech and Spanish translations," Samara said.
Samara said teachers piloted lessons with students and that roughly 150 students contributed feedback on engagement and project-based learning. Staff said the TCI fifth-grade materials come with a physical student workbook and digital access; the digital platform can adjust reading levels and provide audio so teachers can meet different learners where they are.
Teacher presenters and committee members praised both programs' emphasis on student inquiry and multiple assessment formats. One teacher who piloted Traverse reported it provided scaffolds and primary sources that made it easier to bring current events and complex topics into middle- and high-school classrooms. "There's an inquiry for each section and discussion prompts that help teachers assess student understanding beyond pencil-and-paper tests," a teacher said.
Board members asked how the materials would be assessed and whether the district would issue a textbook to each student. Samara said the textbooks and digital access would both be available: teachers can use print materials for fluency practice and the digital tools to change reading levels when needed. On assessment, Samara said units include formative and summative checks and that the district's PLC structure would help align classroom assessments to the board's expectations.
Board members also asked about cost. Samara said the purchase is included in the recommended budget presentation and that the district's budget lead confirmed the cost fits within the proposed 2026-27 budget.
The adoption process requires the district's instruction materials committee to review the identification committee's recommendation against board criteria and then return to the board for a final adoption vote. If approved, staff said implementation would begin next school year.
The board did not take a formal vote on adoption that night; the presentation served as the first review in the district's multi-step adoption process.
