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Board adopts new social-studies materials for grades 6–12; staff to add supplemental content for Oregon standards
Summary
Portland Public Schools adopted TCI (grades 6–8) and Sage/National Geographic (grades 9–12) for the 2025–2032 cycle after a pilot and community review. Staff said supplemental materials will be required to meet Oregon’s 2024 social-studies standards (Holocaust/genocide education, tribal history, ethnic studies); some public commenters raised concerns about Israel/Palestine treatment and potential impacts on Jewish students.
The board approved Resolution 7313 to adopt new social-studies materials for grades 6–12 following a district-led field test with educator and student input.
Senior director for secondary academics described a multi-stage adoption process with pilot classrooms, teacher and student review, and an in-person family/community review event. Staff recommended TCI for middle grades and Sage/National Geographic for high school, citing favorable pilot feedback (teacher and student favorability rates cited in staff remarks).
Staff also acknowledged the 2024 Oregon social-studies standards require Holocaust/genocide education, tribal history, ethnic-studies lenses and civics content; they said nationally published curricula provide a strong foundation but will require district-developed supplemental materials to fully meet Oregon’s requirements. The district plans an implementation team, professional development in August, and community consultations for supplemental content.
In public comment, Naomi (Nadia) Manv (transcript spelling) representing Jewish community concerns argued parts of the instructional materials contain inaccuracies and present one-sided narratives about Israel and Palestine that could worsen a hostile environment for Jewish students, citing Title VI protections. Board and staff responded that supplemental materials and community partner consultation (including Holocaust education partners) are part of implementation planning. The resolution passed 7–0 with the student representative voting yes.
