District Approves New Social Studies, Math Curricula

A college-preparatory math curriculum piloted in several classes at both St. Charles high schools this year will be expanded and a new social studies curriculum will be rolled out in the district’s 12 elementary schools in the 2005-06 school year.

The St. Charles school board approved both at Monday’s meeting after an hourlong discussion largely about the programs’ potential effectiveness.

Superintendent Barbara Erwin praised the curricula, pointing out that teachers have spent two years analyzing programs to find the best ones for the district. She said staff would assess test scores and other data to measure success.

“If this program doesn’t meet the needs of all kids, we will monitor and adjust our plan,” Erwin said.

Erwin also recommended the board change the high school graduation requirements so students would be obligated to take three years of math instead of two. She promised to present the idea as a formal proposal later this year.

Staff also will examine the weighted grade point average at the high school level, Erwin said.

The math curriculum will place all incoming freshmen on a track to learn algebra and other higher-level math concepts. The curriculum includes a lecture followed by group work that encourages students to solve problems themselves.

Supplemental materials for algebra 2 and pre-calculus classes were developed by the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.

Board members Chris Hansen and Jim Gaffney voted against the social studies curriculum, which will cost $290,000 to implement, and Hansen also voted against the math program, which will cost $12,000. The math program costs less in part because many of the materials were purchased last year for the pilot.

Gaffney objected to the social studies curriculum, “Social Studies Alive,” because of the lack of data on its effectiveness. The program was developed just two years ago.

“I don’t see spending $300,000 in taxpayers’ money on an unproven program,” Gaffney said.

Unlike the current curriculum, the new curriculum aligns with state and federal social studies learning standards.