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Ridgefield curriculum team recommends McGraw Hill US History text; board to vote later
Summary
Ridgefield Public Schools staff recommended McGraw Hill’s US History Modern Era as an anchor resource for Grade 11, proposing 285 student copies, seven teacher editions, a six‑year digital license and professional development (quote: cost includes a $7,000 PD line). The board asked questions about digital access, piloting and budget timing; final award will return at a later meeting.
Dr. Annie Tucci, 6‑12 humanities supervisor for Ridgefield Public Schools, and Danny Martins, social studies department chair at Ridgefield High School, presented the curriculum team’s recommendation to adopt McGraw Hill’s US History Modern Era as the anchor resource for Grade 11.
The recommendation follows a yearlong curriculum review and selection process aligned to Connecticut standards and the C3 inquiry framework. "The team's recommendation for adoption is US History Modern Era resource published by McGraw Hill," Tucci said, noting the review considered content quality, multiple perspectives, digital platform features and teacher adaptability.
Nut graf: The package recommended for initial purchase includes 285 student textbooks, seven teacher editions, a six‑year digital license and on‑site and virtual professional development. Presenters said the quoted total is in the low‑to‑mid $50,000 range and that about $7,000 of that quote covers professional learning; the district will return to the board at a future meeting to award the purchase.
Board members focused questions on how students would access content, classroom versus at‑home use, piloting and cost comparisons. Ms. Royce asked whether the entire textbook is available digitally; Tucci replied the full text is accessible online and the district would purchase enough copies for all US History students but teachers could choose whether students keep a physical book or rely on the digital platform.
Ms. Moore asked whether teachers piloted the platforms; presenters said teachers had access to materials throughout the year and used components, though students were not placed on the digital platforms for pilot reasons. Mr. Paradiso and others pressed on integration and lifecycle: presenters said the platform integrates with Google Classroom for one‑click assignment posting and that the six‑year license is intended to capture regular updates without waiting for a new edition.
Presenters also emphasized customization: the platform allows teachers to add local primary sources—"when we pull those primary sources from the Ridgefield Historical Society over, we can do that," Tucci said—so local history can be incorporated into units.
The board did not vote on adoption at the March 24 meeting; Tucci said the recommendation will return for an award decision at a subsequent meeting after budget placement is confirmed. The district noted the initial purchase shows in the current budget year even though the license covers multiple years.
Ending: The curriculum team will proceed with procurement planning and professional development scheduling if the board approves the adoption at its next business meeting; the board meets again after spring break.
