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District staff propose TCI for K–8 social studies, keep Northern Lights in Grade 6
Summary
At a May 6 study session, curriculum staff recommended adopting the Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI) for grades K–8 with a Grade 6 exception to retain Northern Lights; presenters also described plans to integrate Junior Achievement and Character Strong as supplemental supports.
Curriculum Coordinator Darin Doherty presented the Social Studies curriculum review to the School Board of St. Peter Public School District, recommending adoption of the Teachers’ Curriculum Institute (TCI) for grades K–8 while retaining the Northern Lights curriculum for Grade 6.
Teacher representative Jodi Nixon joined Doherty in summarizing the review process, saying the district’s seven-phase cycle included classroom observations, comparison against state standards and evaluation of instructional shifts. They recommended no changes for grades 9–12, where high school teachers will continue using existing platforms.
District materials presented specific integration plans: Junior Achievement (JA) will continue as a regular component for grades 2–4, and grades K–1 will maintain a hybrid approach using JA and Character Strong to meet state standards. The presenters said the district expects TCI to support active, inquiry-based learning, cross-curricular literacy integration, accessibility and teacher support, though no purchase or formal adoption vote was recorded at the study session.
The review was framed as a recommendation for the board to consider at a future meeting; staff did not report any formal vote on curriculum adoptions during the study session. The board adopted the meeting agenda and later adjourned; next steps on the Social Studies recommendation were not specified in the minutes.
