Upper Darby committee previews proposed middle-school art and music curricula for January vote

The Education and People Service Committee reviewed proposed curricular resources for Upper Darby middle schools that would require board action at the January meeting.

Mr. Salinto presented two recommended resources: Quaver Ed (an online, standards-aligned music curriculum for grades 6–8, licensed at the building level) and Experience Art from Davis Art (a standards-based middle-school art textbook and studio curriculum for grades 6–8). He walked through the district’s selection process under policy 109 (resource materials) and policy 108 (textbook selection), noting that the required AR review documents were completed and reviewed by district personnel.

If the board approves the recommendation in January, the district plans a professional development rollout for staff at district, department and teacher levels including in-person PD before the school year, synchronous and asynchronous sessions, and publisher-provided tutorials. Budget slides referenced a five-year license for Quaver Ed and text purchases to cover three middle-school buildings; presenters said precise cost figures would be included in the January action packet.

No board members asked substantive questions during the presentation and the item was moved forward for a January action listing. The committee did not take a vote on adoption at this meeting.