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School board adopts new grades 6–12 social studies curriculum, citing ethnic‑studies, disciplinary literacy and student inquiry
Summary
The Rochester Public School District board approved $611,814 in purchases for new grades 6–12 social studies materials aligned to updated Minnesota standards, including an ethnic‑studies strand, disciplinary literacy practices, and teacher professional learning; implementation begins next school year.
The Rochester Public School District board on June 16 approved a package of new social studies instructional materials for grades 6–12 totaling $611,814, a step administrators said is intended to align classroom materials to the state’s revised standards and shift instruction toward ethnic studies, disciplinary literacy and student inquiry.
Superintendent Pakou introduced the proposal as the result of a two‑year process of teacher-led curriculum development and said the district is seeking to get materials into teachers’ hands before the fall. Presenters Mona Perkins, Heather Willman and instructional facilitator Deidra Fipps told the board that 66 teachers participated in co‑design and that the work included embedded professional development supported by a Minnesota Department of Education ethnic‑studies grant.
Fipps described three central changes driving the selection: “the addition of a new strand for ethnic studies,” an emphasis on disciplinary literacy practices and “centering student inquiry” modeled on the C3 framework, she said. Board members pressed administrators on supports for multilingual learners and students with special education needs; presenters said the chosen materials include language supports, audio access, vocabulary tools, built‑in scaffolds and guidance for co‑teaching and sheltered instruction.
The resolution listed line items and vendor quotes included in the purchase: grade six Minnesota history Northern Lights (textbooks and digital access) for $189,592; grade seven DBQ resources $1,000; grade eight My World (Savvas) $54,942; grade nine world history (McGraw Hill) $202,168; grade 10 U.S. history (McGraw Hill) $41,297; economics (McGraw Hill) $56,516; human geography (Rubenstein) $51,800; and anthropology (Pearson) $14,499. The total reported in the resolution was $611,814 for grades six through 12.
Board members also asked about ongoing costs for digital access and the lifecycle of materials; staff said many publishers provide updates during a seven‑year or similar license period and that the district plans a roughly 10‑year curriculum cycle tied to state standards updates. Several directors praised the emphasis on primary sources and teacher collaboration; one director asked about parent and community review opportunities, and administrators said community curriculum advisory sessions will give families a chance to review selections before classroom implementation.
A motion to move the prep‑for‑action item to action carried and the board adopted the resolution that directs the Office of Academic Services to purchase the listed curricula. Administrators said teachers will receive training and time to plan during summer and early school‑year professional learning; the materials are expected to be used beginning next school year.
The adoption concludes the current procurement step; the board will monitor implementation and long‑term costs as the district integrates the materials into instruction.
