Timeline: standardizing the curriculum

This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.

Full implementation of the School District’s core curriculum will take several years. Here is a timeline of what curriculum materials have been introduced and which ones are planned for coming years.

2002 – 2003

  • Teams of teachers work with District experts to write the core curriculum documents for K-9 language arts and math
  • Trophies, Elements of Literature, Everyday Math and Math in Context materials are tested in restructured schools

2003 – 2004

  • Core curriculum documents for K-9 language arts and math implemented in all District schools
  • Reading and math materials purchased and distributed to all District schools

2004 – 2005

  • Core curriculum documents (created by the School District) introduced for 8th grade social studies and 7th and 8th grade science
  • Core curriculum documents (created by Kaplan Inc.) introduced for 10th, 11th & 12th grade English; 10th & 11th grade math; 9th, 10th & 11th grade science and social studies
  • New textbooks introduced for 8th grade social studies and 7th and 8th grade
    science and all high school subjects
  • African and African American history modules for grades K-5 (early fall)
  • "Philadelphia Community Voices" modules for grades 3-8 (mid-year)
  • Juvenile Justice Youth Development Module for grades 6-8

2005 – 2006

  • Core curriculum documents to be introduced for K-6 science and K-7 social studies

2006 – 2007

  • Core curriculum documents to be introduced for the arts, grades K-11