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Meeting Date:
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6/12/2020 - 6:00 AM
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Category:
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Curriculum and Instruction
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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. The complete list of approved textbooks is linked in the attached memo. 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.
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Recommendation:
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The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the materials recommended by the Textbook Selection Committees (TSC):
• Grades K-2: Five Ponds Press Materials.
• Grades 6-12: National Geographic/Cengage (Grades 6, 7, World History, US/Virginia HIstory, and US/Virginia Government) and McGraw Hill (Grade 8).
• Advanced Placement: Cengage, Bedford Freeman and Worth, McGraw Hill, and WW Norton.
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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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