JMCSS teachers prep curriculum for new school year

JACKSON, Tenn. — The Jackson-Madison County School System is gearing up for a new school year and working to build on their curriculum.

“Last year we did see a bump in achievement in the majority of grade levels and subject areas,” said Chief Academic Officer Jared Myracle. “That was not what the rest of the state saw, so we were excited to see that.”

The teachers were in professional development meetings Thursday to study their new curriculum.

“Over the past two years, we’ve purchased math, English, science, and social studies curriculum,” Myracle said. “This will actually be the first year when all four of those core subject areas actually have curriculum and textbook materials in their classrooms.”

While some classrooms are using the traditional textbook, others have now started using workbooks as well.

“In math, it’s not a textbook like you’d normally have,” Myracle said. “It’s a workbook that the teacher is helping them to work through different concepts.”

In English, they’re using actual novels instead of textbooks.

“They have materials for every subject,” Myracle said. “It might just not look like what parents were used to seeing when they were in school.”

They say it’s important to remember the district is still early in the process.

“We know we have a long way to go,” Myracle said. “We’re not where we need to be. We’re really just one chapter into a ten-chapter book.”

District improvement scores should be released by August 9.