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Board adopts districtwide foreign-language curriculum, district estimates $30 per student over six years
Summary
The board approved a K—2 foreign-language adoption selecting SESA (elementary Spanish), QTalk (middle school) and Wayside/Carnegie Learning (high school/AP/heritage), touting curriculum consistency and projected savings of about $400,000 by packaging purchases; cited per-student cost is about $30 per year over six years.
The South Bend Community School Corporation on June 15 approved a districtwide foreign-language adoption designed to establish a K—2 pathway and greater consistency across schools.
A teacher-led committee presented vendor recommendations: SESA for elementary Spanish (age-appropriate music, games and stories), QTalk for middle-school Spanish (communication-focused, cognitive-science informed materials), and Wayside Publishing plus Carnegie Learning for high-school Spanish, AP Spanish and Spanish-for-heritage-learners courses. Committee members emphasized materials that support differentiation, authentic resources and AP preparation.
Administrators said the adoption covers digital licenses for students, class hardbacks, teacher materials and professional development. Committee presenters said the package will serve approximately 3,832 students next year and that, amortized over a six-year adoption, the cost equates to about $30 per student. The district estimated the consolidated purchase will save close to $400,000 compared with prior piecemeal purchases.
Board members asked for clarity on elementary coverage; presenters said two elementary schools (Kennedy and Clay/IB) currently have elementary-language programming but that the district intends to take a strategic approach to expanding offerings over time, either during the academic day or as after-school clubs, depending on capacity and staffing.
The board approved the adoption (vote recorded in the transcript as 5-0). Administration said the district would phase in rollout planning and pursue teacher training this summer.
What happens next: Curriculum teams will finalize materials distribution and professional development schedules; administration will return with a multi-year plan for any expansion to additional elementary schools and the per-school implementation timeline.
