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Malden School Committee adopts Fishtank for 9th–10th grade ELA; implementation, costs sent to budget process
Summary
After a multi‑month review and teacher lesson trials, the committee voted unanimously to adopt the Fishtank ELA curriculum for 9th and 10th grades. District leaders said materials procurement and a phased implementation plan (stipends, PD, family guides) will follow through the FY process.
The Malden School Committee voted April 6 to adopt the Fishtank curriculum for 9th and 10th grade English language arts following a multi‑month review by a 16‑member educator advisory committee.
The advisory panel examined nine initial options (eight after one was out of print), ran classroom lesson trials, solicited educator, student and family feedback, and used locally developed criteria that emphasized full‑text study, print materials, alignment to Massachusetts standards and classroom usability. "Fishtank was designed around full texts and print resources — strengths our teachers and families told us they preferred," said the district lead for the curriculum review, Ms. Piccini.
How the district will implement the decision was a focal point of committee discussion. Superintendent Sipple and curriculum staff said they will move forward with procurement as soon as the committee’s vote is final, pursue teacher stipends for an implementation committee, run summer and in‑year professional development, and create pacing guides and family unit guides translated as needed. Cost estimates provided by vendors were shared with the committee: the district showed one‑year, three‑year and five‑year quotes (Fishtank’s estimated one‑year cost ~ $35,000 including books and online access; StudySync quotes were materially higher). "Our recommendation was based on pedagogy and usability; costs are within budgeted ranges and will be finalized through procurement and the FY process," the curriculum lead said.
Student representatives and committee members asked specifically about teacher autonomy, honor/CP/honors course alignment, newcomer classes and accommodations. Ms. Piccini said teachers will receive lesson plans and guides, with room for choice during extension blocks and flex days built into the pacing guidance: "Teachers will have a teacher guide and resources; the implementation committee will develop differentiation and pacing guidance so educators can adapt with fidelity."
The committee approved the adoption by voice vote with no dissent; the formal procurement period and the question of one‑, three‑ or five‑year license options will be decided through the district’s purchasing and budget teams.
The superintendent said the real work happens after the adoption: ordering class sets so teachers have books before summer, stipending teacher leaders for implementation planning, and scheduling targeted PD. The district will report back to the committee on procurement timing and expected budget impacts. Ending: the board approved the recommendation and directed staff to return with implementation and budget details.
