The Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 Board of Education recently approved a $498,947 deal with National Geographic to buy new K-5 science textbooks. But versions of the textbooks will also be available to students online.
Board member Doug Goldberg recently suggested it should be possible to skip purchasing hardcover textbooks in the future. Instead, students could access their textbook online with tablets or laptops.
“That’s clearly where it’s going. That’s how it’s going to be,” he said. “We just have to get there.”
But Supt. Mike Egan said the problem is textbook publishers won’t sell online-only version textbooks at discounts. For example, if Dist. 95 wanted to purchase the National Geographic science textbooks electronic versions but not hard copies, they would still have to pay the same price.
“That’s the shocking thing,” Egan said.
The same holds true for other educational publishers weary of declining profits.
The Dist. 95 K-5 Science Curriculum Committee recommended National Geographic over Pearson’s Interactive Science, FOSS and Delta Science Modules. They tested Pearson and National Geographic in district classrooms and found National Geographic superior.
The textbook deal includes a six-year license to online National Geographic educational materials, such as videos of scientists explaining topics, digital libraries of photographs and magazine articles. The online materials include presentationsteachers may use to introduce new subjects in the curriculum.
Officially, the district is not purchasing the books, but are leasing or ‘adopting’ them. Current K-5 science textbooks are from 2003, according to Goldberg.
Years ago, students may have received a DVD, CD or computer disk to accompany textbooks, but now all accompanying information is online, Goldberg said, and having a copy of the textbook itself available online is useful in case students lose their hard copies.
The textbooks cost $260,000 more than originally budgeted for. However, officials said if they are going to go over budget on something it may as well be for a worthy cause like new science textbooks.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Vicky Cullinan said she is confident thedistrict could still come under budget even with the more expensive books.
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