Integrated curriculum, the multi-million dollar, multi-year transformation of PISD's elementary curriculum, is nearly complete. Volumes could be written about this "progressive" idea, both its theory, and its practice. For now, here are a few things taxpayers and parents should know about it:

• This year, integrated curriculum replaces science and social studies.
  
  
• There little of any academic substance in it, but it consumes one to two hours every day (depending on grade level.)
  
  
• That's a sizable chunk of the 2 1/2 to 4 hours which remain after the kids are pulled out for art, music, P.E., group counseling , recess, lunch, library, and other programs.
  
  
• Most teachers are not very happy about it, but they have to act like they are, since the people in charge think it's really great.
  
  
• It seems there's a new problem. We've spent several years and over $10 million on the Integrated Curriculum, and now, just as it nears completion, the State of Texas changes the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS.) It may be we're headed back to the old drawing board...