Ensuring that students and teachers have access to relevant and up-to-date core curricula and instructional materials is no easy task. In fact, the curriculum adoption process for a single subject can take several months and involve dozens of staff, students, families and other stakeholders.
Each year the Puyallup School District Instructional Materials Committee (IMC) reviews curriculum and make any necessary recommendations for adoption of core classroom materials, as well as discuss/explore alternative core and supplementary instructional materials. The committee’s goal is to provide the most up-to-date, research-based, and appropriate learning materials for teachers and students. Standards-aligned and modern curriculum materials are critical tools for classroom learning. In the hands of our teachers, such materials are intended to move students through mastery of fundamental concepts to deeper thinking.
The IMC is composed of certificated staff, administrators, parents/guardians, community members and subject-matter experts to help the district meet this goal. The curriculum and adoption process is defined in Board Policy 2020 and RCW 28A.320.230.
“A comprehensive curriculum adoption process ensures that stakeholders, such as students, staff, families, and the board of directors have an opportunity to actively engage in the selection of core instructional materials that are free of bias and representative of the district’s diverse student population,” said Vince Pecchia, Assistant Superintendent of Equity and Instructional Leadership. It is also important that adopted curriculum aligns with state law, teaching and learning standards, and research-based practices,” he added.
Core instructional materials undergo an initial intensive review process led by the IMC. The committee evaluates the instructional content of recommended materials according to specific selection criteria. This ensures they comply with state law and district policy, and that the content is developmentally appropriate and covers necessary learning standards. The review process may also involve field testing materials in a limited number of classrooms. This provides the opportunity to investigate the effectiveness of curriculum in a live teaching and learning environment. When field testing is used, families of students in classrooms where the materials are being used are given notice and information about the curriculum being tested.
After thorough review, the IMC selects its top choice and begins a formal public review of the materials with the opportunity for public comment. The IMC’s recommendation and public comments then go to the school board for consideration of adoption.
This process was completed earlier this school year when a new 9th grade social studies curriculum was reviewed by the IMC and adopted by the school board in February. There are also other subjects currently in the review process, including Elementary English Language Arts, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Secondary Health, and Advanced Placement Spanish and German.