Round Rock Edition | February 2025

Education

District eyes modications to new state reading curriculum

GET $100! Hello from PECU, your local credit union! We’ll give you $100 for new account activity when you join through this promo! Scan the code to get started, or bring this ad to any PECU branch. Offer expires 6/30/25.

Round Rock ISD ocials are con- sidering how to implement a new controversial reading and language arts curriculum provided by the Texas Education Agency ahead of the 2025-26 school year. What you need to know RRISD shared in a December release that administrators are weighing how to imple- ment the new curriculum, Bluebonnet Learning. Bluebonnet will replace the Amplify, Carnegie and Eureka cur- ricula for elementary school-level language arts and reading, math for kindergarten through eighth grade and algebra 1. In November, the new learning materials were approved by the State Board of Education, but not without controversy. As previously reported by Community Impact , critics say the inclusion of Bible stories in the curricula are inappro- priate for public schools and could isolate students, while proponents of the curriculum assert it will help close student achievement gaps and reduce teacher workloads. What are the options? School districts are able to modify Bluebonnet Learning

“Our staff will continue to look more deeply into the Bluebonnet reading and language arts curriculum to assess the appropriateness

of the lessons for our community.” ROUND ROCK ISD SUPERINTENDENT HAFEDH AZAIEZ

More Free Services, Less Fees 350+ Free ATMs 5,500+ Shared Branches Totally Free Checking Auto, Home & Personal Loans

Kids & Teen Accounts Zogo Learn and Earn

materials to suit their needs, so RRISD administrators are consid- ering how best to alter the reading and language arts curriculum to suit students in the district. Per the release, this modi- cation could include removing Bible-based lessons and activities, or increasing the overall diversity of characters and content of stories covered. The math curriculum does not include examples drawing from Christianity, according to the district. In the release, it says that the district will slowly implement the math curriculum.

15800 620 North • 512-474-1955 620 N & Cornerwood www.pecutx.org

Learn More

Offering 2-4 bedrooms

& Rates starting at $2,175

RRISD approves new book policy

Modern homes for rent designed with you in mind

Round Rock ISD approved updated policies guiding who can challenge instructional and library materials in December. What you need to know Per Cindy Hill, RRISD’s gen- eral counsel, the policy change narrows the scope of who can challenge instructional and library materials to parents, guardians

and employees of the district. Previously, RRISD’s policy for challenges to instructional and library materials allowed any resident of the district to challenge any materials they nd questionable in accordance with established guidelines.

Attached Garage | Fenced Private Yard | Stainless Steel Appliances Washer & Dryer Hook ups Lease Today and receive up to 8 weeks free* *Restrictions may apply. Call for details

4305 Garden Point Drive Round Rock, 78665 (833) 816-3620

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM