CATALINA FOOTHILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT

The foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains

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Curriculum Revision and Adoption Process

Group of elementary students

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Group of high school students


Through collaborative efforts with educators and administrators, the Catalina Foothills School District (CFSD) renews and/or designs its K-12 curriculum standards and programs on a rotating basis. CFSD standards are articulated from kindergarten through high school and align with Arizona's Academic Standards and related national standards. A formal and comprehensive process is used to design system-wide K-12 educational programming that enables all students to learn at challenging levels. We strive to offer high quality curriculum resources that support evidence-based instructional practices in our classrooms. All standards and programs are approved by the governing board.

Board approved standards for new programs and courses can be found in the Academics menu on the home page of this website. Select elementary, middle, and/or high school. CFSD does not offer an Arizona Online Instruction (AOI) program.

Science

On June 23, 2020, the governing board adopted the K-12 academic standards for science. The new 3-D science standards were fully implemented during the 2021-2022 school year. Three-dimensional science learning uses science and engineering practices to actively engage students in learning science (core ideas). Integrating core ideas and crosscutting concepts, and explaining phenomena and/or designing solutions to problems drives student learning.

English Language Arts (K-5)

The district updated its K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) program to reflect Arizona's Move on When Reading legislation, which is to adopt an instructional curriculum that is (1) aligned to Arizona's ELA standards, (2) ESSA evidence-based at one of the top three tiers, and (3) addresses the essential components of effective reading instruction. Wonders (2023) is a comprehensive English Language Arts program published by McGraw-Hill Education and was selected based on its efficacy studies and evidence-based practices. Wonders (2023) is an Arizona Department of Education-approved ELA program. 

English Language Arts (6-12)

The district completed its review of English language arts texts and resources for grades 6-12 during the 2022-2023 school year. This includes literature books/texts that are used for instruction in the classroom. A revised list of texts and resources will replace the list adopted in 2007. All texts and resources under consideration for adoption were part of a 60-day preview period between January and May 2023. myPerspectives English Language Arts (2022) was selected as the core text/program for grades 6-12. The list of core and supplementary literature texts will be posted in the Academics Overview menu under "English Language Arts."

Social Studies

The district completed a two-year revision process for K-12 social studies during the 2022-2023 school year. The new K-12 standards are aligned to Arizona's History and Social Science Standards. Click here for Arizona's History and Social Science Standards (PDF), which were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2018 and updated in 2019. 

The high school social studies program of study is being phased in over three years beginning with the 9th grade courses during the 2022-2023 school year: World History and AP World History - Modern, and 12th grade courses Economics and AP Microeconomics. United States History, AP United States History, Government, and AP Government will be implemented during the 2023-2024 school year.  AP Psychology, American Law & Justice, and Perspectives on Modern History will be implemented in the 2024-2025 school year. For grades K-8, only grade 3, Arizona Studies, was implemented in 2022-2023. Grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 will be implemented during the 2023-2024 school year. The CFSD standards for grades K-5, 6-8, and the high school courses can be found in the Academics Overview menu under "Social Studies.

60-Day Preview of Core and Supplemental Resources

The governing board considers the adoption of core and supplemental materials/resources at a board meeting following a 60-day preview period. Currently, no core or supplemental resources are undergoing a 60-day preview.

The link below provides a list of core textbooks/resources used in the Catalina Foothills School District.

CFSD Adopted Textbooks (PDF)