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Instruction

PUSD Curriculum Program

Prescott Unified School District (PUSD) provides a comprehensive, standards-based education in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, Foreign Language, Fine Arts, Music, and Computer Literacy. Our dedicated teachers consistently align instruction and resources with the Arizona Academic Standards, ensuring students receive a high-quality education.
Throughout the year, collaborative teams of educators from kindergarten through high school meet regularly to review and refine the scope and sequence for each subject area, ensuring state standards are effectively integrated across all grade levels.
In addition to our core academic programs, PUSD proudly offers robust Special Education, Gifted Education, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to support the diverse needs and aspirations of our students.


What is the difference between standards, curriculum and textbooks?
 
Standards define the learning goals—what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level. PUSD follows the Arizona Academic Standards which are set by the Arizona Department of Education.

Curriculum is the comprehensive plan for teaching and learning that outlines how teachers will help students meet those standards. It includes the sequence of lessons, instructional strategies, assessments, and learning objectives.  In PUSD, we organize curriculum in our District Instructional Guides (DIGs).

Textbooks are one type of resource within the curriculum. They provide the content, examples, and exercises that support the lessons, but they are not the entire curriculum—just one of many tools teachers use to help students achieve the standards.


How are textbooks adopted in PUSD?

The textbook adoption process in PUSD is designed to ensure that selected materials meet both state standards and the needs of our students and teachers. To accomplish this, we form a comprehensive committee including teachers, district staff, administrators, parents, and community members, bringing together diverse perspectives.

The committee thoroughly reviews multiple textbook options, evaluating their alignment with state standards and instructional value. Once the selection is narrowed, the chosen finalists enter a pilot phase, where teachers implement these materials in classrooms. During this phase, we analyze student achievement data to assess each textbook's effectiveness.

Informed by pilot data and feedback from teachers and students, the committee recommends the textbook that best supports student learning outcomes for PUSD Governing Board consideration. Before the final decision, the proposed textbook is available for a 60-day community review period. After gathering community feedback, the PUSD Governing Board reviews the recommendations and votes to approve or deny the selected textbook.

What core textbooks have been approved by the PUSD Governing Board?

English Language Arts

  • K-4 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading
  • 5-8 Core Knowledge Language Arts and Literacy Curriculum (CKLA) and Amplify
  • 9-12 McGraw Hill StudySync

Math 

  • K-4 Engage NY (Conducting K-4 Adoption This Year)
  • 5-8 Curriculum Associates iReady
  • 9-12 Envisions from Savvas

Science 

  • K-5 McGraw Hill Inspire Science 
  • 6-8 Savvas Elevate Science
  • 9-12 Savvas Science
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Social Studies 

  • K-12 Teachers Curriculum Institute (TCI)