What's Happening?
Quincy Junior High School (QJHS) is currently piloting new English Language Arts (ELA) and math curriculum materials, with the school year nearing its halfway point. The School Board approved the pilot in June, which includes Savvas 2025 myPerspectives
and CommonLit 360 for ELA, and McGraw-Hill Reveal Math and Mid School Math’s Core Curriculum for mathematics. McGraw-Hill Reveal Math is already in use in K-5 classrooms within the district. According to Quincy Public Schools (QPS) Director of Teaching and Learning Kim Dinkheller, the pilot aims to provide teachers with updated resources and opportunities for instructional practice, replacing outdated materials at the junior high level. QJHS Principal Brenda Fleer and Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning Caitin Munguia provided an update to the District Improvement Team, noting positive feedback from staff regarding the ELA resources, despite a learning curve. The Mid School Math curriculum, however, received less favorable survey data, with teachers reporting the need for significant pre-teaching and resource creation.
Why It's Important?
This curriculum pilot at Quincy Junior High School is important for several reasons. It represents a proactive effort by Quincy Public Schools to modernize its educational resources, ensuring that junior high students receive up-to-date and comprehensive learning materials. The integration of new ELA and math curricula, including a program already familiar to K-5 teachers like McGraw-Hill Reveal Math, aims to create a more cohesive and rigorous educational pathway for students. The feedback from teachers, highlighting both the benefits of new resources and the challenges of implementation, provides valuable insights into the practicalities of curriculum adoption. This initiative could serve as a model for other U.S. school districts looking to update their instructional materials, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation and teacher support during such transitions. The focus on providing physical books again also addresses a potential student preference, indicating a balanced approach to digital and traditional learning methods.
What's Next?
The Quincy Junior High School curriculum pilot will continue with further evaluation. Assistant Principal Caitin Munguia is scheduled to present additional assessment data and student growth information in February, which will be crucial for determining the long-term viability of the piloted programs. The district will use this data to inform school and district improvement planning, prioritize professional learning for educators, and allocate resources effectively. Based on the current feedback, QPS will likely consider which ELA resources to adopt permanently, given the positive consensus among staff. For math, the less favorable reception of Mid School Math suggests that McGraw-Hill Reveal Math might be a stronger contender for full implementation, especially since it's already used in lower grades. The district's decision will impact future curriculum choices and potentially influence other schools considering similar updates.
Beyond the Headlines
The Quincy Junior High School curriculum pilot highlights a broader challenge in U.S. education: the continuous need to balance traditional teaching methods with modern educational tools and content. The positive reception to physical books, as noted by Principal Brenda Fleer, suggests that while digital resources are prevalent, there remains a significant value placed on tangible learning materials by students. This pilot also underscores the critical role of teacher feedback in curriculum development and adoption. The observation that teachers had to create additional resources for the Mid School Math curriculum points to potential gaps in commercially available materials or the need for more comprehensive professional development. This situation raises questions about how well curriculum providers understand the diverse needs of classrooms and how school districts can best support their educators in implementing new programs effectively, ensuring that new resources truly enhance, rather than complicate, the learning process.
