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Meeting Date:
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6/19/2020 - 12:00 PM
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Category:
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New Business and Reports to the Board
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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Social Studies Textbook Adoption
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 1: Academic Excellence and Educational Equity
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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In 2015, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) adopted the revised Standards of Learning for History and Social Science. In March of 2018, the Board of Education approved a list of recommended textbooks for K-12 history and social science. In January 2020, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) initiated a local textbook review process to provide needed materials for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond, in accordance with Policy IIAA, Textbook Selection and Adoption. An RFP process was initiated to allow for a review of materials beyond the VDOE-approved list to provide a more extensive selection with the potential to meet the needs of students in ACPS.
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Background:
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Social Studies Instructional Specialist, Sarah Whelan, led the elementary and secondary Textbook Selection Committees (TSC), which included members with diverse educational backgrounds and experiences. Each school principal was invited to select instructional staff members to represent their school. The TSC, including the following:
--25 classroom teachers, two English Learner (EL) teacher, and two assistant principals;
--Instructional Specialists from the Offices of Specialized Instruction and English Learner (EL) Services;
--Coordinator for Talented and Gifted (TAG) Education; and
--Technology Integration Specialist and a representative from Technology Services.
Please see the attachments for the guiding questions used for the review process, the evaluation criteria, and the list of materials that were reviewed.
The TSC sought feedback from school-based staff through individual reviews and meetings of professional-learning communities to evaluate specific offerings by grade level and course. Based on the feedback regarding alignment with Standards of Learning and other identified criteria, specific textbooks were recommended for each course.
Careful consideration was given to the proposed materials’ inclusion of multiple perspectives, cultural responsiveness, and appropriate discussion of essential historical context. Committee members sought materials that give thorough attention and voice to typically marginalized and under-represented groups in history.
It is important to note that, while the recommended textbooks address the Standards of Learning, the social studies curriculum goes beyond the standards to provide a more complex and diverse understanding of history and social science. The textbook is not the sole resource to be used in social studies instruction and the ACPS curriculum will continue to be enhanced and supplemented with other materials and sources. This includes material developed in partnership with City of Alexandria representatives and resources to include vital local history topics in our curriculum that help our students understand the current moment and the urgent need for change.
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the Social Studies textbooks recommended by the Textbook Selection Committees.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
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