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https://www.seq.org/STUDENTS--PARENTS/Academic-Information/Curriculum-and-Textbook-Selection-in-SUHSD/
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Sequoia Union High School District

Curriculum and Textbook Selection in SUHSD

SUHSD's Process for Selecting Textbooks
 
The district follows a structured textbook adoption process to select the best materials for our students, including:
 
  • Representatives from each school site form a committee facilitated by District Educational Services staff.
  • This team convenes to review the textbook selection process and timeline before identifying textbook selection criteria and creating a rubric for evaluating texts under consideration. Criteria include alignment with relevant California Department of Education content standards and curriculum frameworks. 
  • The team then meets with and hears presentations from publishers. They use established rubrics or criteria to narrow down the choices of texts. 
  • The selected materials are then piloted by teachers. During this phase, teachers use the earlier-established rubric to evaluate each text. After the pilot concludes, the team meets to aggregate data gathered from the pilot. The original representatives participate in a forced choice vote on the materials. Based on this, the team decides which materials to recommend for adoption.
  • Upon the textbook adoption team's recommendation, the proposed materials undergo a rigorous approval process. This process includes consideration by the Subject Area Council, Instructional Vice Principals, Principals, District Cabinet, followed by the final recommendation being presented to the Board of Trustees for approval.
 
The Board of Trustees makes the final approval on all textbooks.
 
SUHSD's Process for Creating Curriculum
 
Many of the courses used in our classrooms use textbooks, but in some cases we can better meet student needs with materials created by District staff.
 
Similar to the selection of textbooks, SUHSD's curriculum development process is designed to align with educational standards and provide comprehensive learning experiences for our students.
 
  • Like the process of selecting textbooks, the curriculum development process includes representation from as many school sites as possible. The curriculum development team identifies learning goals aligned with relevant State Standards and Content Area Frameworks and creates a scope and sequence of topics to address each standard. The team establishes common criteria for the curriculum materials which is used both for planning and for evaluating the instructional materials. 
 
  • Lessons or sequences of lessons are developed with supporting resources such as texts, instructional strategies, and manipulatives to facilitate the teaching of each unit. These materials are then evaluated using the previously established criteria. The curriculum materials are reviewed by department and/or district leaders.
 
How Parents Can View Curriculum or Textbooks 
 
We believe in transparency and encourage parents to be informed about the educational materials used in our district. To view textbooks or district-developed curriculum, you can make an appointment for a 30-minute viewing session in the district office. District-created curriculum can also be duplicated and mailed to interested parties. Please contact Rosa Miralles, rmiralles@seq.org, to make an appointment or request a copy by mail.