SpringBoard adoption in limbo

Douglas County School District officials are uncertain where their new SpringBoard English curriculum stands in the eyes of the state.

Kerry Pope, director of curriculum and instruction, said she attended the State Board of Education meeting last week during which members reportedly pulled the district's textbook adoption off the consent calendar.

Pope said the state decided to agendize the item for the Oct. 7-8 meeting.

The problem, Pope said, is figuring out what that means for the school district as the new year begins. Elementary school starts Wednesday, and secondary schools open Monday. The school district has already piloted the SpringBoard curriculum, but future use may hinge on state approval.

"Our superintendent is talking to the state superintendent on how to move forward," Pope said.

She said it's important to keep in mind that the state has made "no decision that says it can't be used."

In June, Douglas County school trustees approved the seventh-12th-grade textbook/curriculum on a 5-2 vote. SpringBoard had been called into question by several English teachers citing an apparent lack of classic texts and rigorous grammar and writing instruction.

Proponents, on the other hand, contended that the program would better engage students by aligning curriculum in all grade levels and by drawing on a variety of cultural sources.