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 is reviewing English language arts texts and resources for grades 6-12 during the 2022-2023 school year. This includes literature/trade books 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 will be part of a 60-day preview period between January and May 2023. The list of the texts and resources under consideration will be posted on this webpage.
Social Studies
Currently, the district is undergoing a K-12 social studies revision. A team of educators and administrators at the elementary, middle, and high school levels are working collaboratively during the 2022-2023 school year to finish the curriculum performance scales for social studies based on Arizona's History and Social Science Standards. Click here for Arizona's History and Social Science Standards, which were adopted by the State Board of Education in 2018 and updated in 2019.
The CFSD standards for grades K-2, 4-5, 6-8, and the high school courses, United States History (grade 10) and United States Government (grade 12) were approved at the November 21, 2022 board meeting (second reading). The standards can be found here. It is expected that these grade levels and courses will be implemented during the 2023-2024 school year.
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. For grades K-8, only grade 3, Arizona Studies, is being implemented in 2022-2023.
60-Day Preview of Core and Supplemental Resources
The governing board will consider the adoption of core and supplemental materials/resources at a board meeting following a 60-day preview period.
Currently, the core and supplemental resources listed on the document below are undergoing a 60-day preview.
Core and Supplemental Resources (March 2023)
The preview period began on March 24, 2023 and will conclude on May 24, 2023. The texts and resources listed will be considered for governing board adoption at the June 13, 2023 board meeting. Print copies of titles are available for review by the public at the CFSD Murphey Administration Center (district office) located at 2101 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. during the preview period. Online links to texts and resources (as available) are provided on the list for virtual viewing.
Anyone who wishes to provide feedback about a listed resource(s) may use the feedback form below. The form can be sent electronically to Dr. Mary Jo Conery at mjc@cfsd16.org or it can be mailed to the attention of Dr. Conery at 2101 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ, 85718.
Feedback Form for Resources/Materials
The link below provides a list of core textbooks/resources used in the Catalina Foothills School District.