A for-profit company could decide what Bismarck high school students learn.

The district is considering a high school curriculum from Kaplan K12 Learning Services, the same company known for its test prep courses and books.

"We wanted them to look at the standards and what students need for college," Assistant Superintendent John Salwei said. "They have experience with that. We have to have students ready for college and post secondary school."

The Bismarck School Board discussed a proposal from Kaplan at its meeting on Monday. It would cost a minimum of $240,000 per subject, which covers three grade levels, plus $40,000 per additional grade. The district could consider the reading curriculum for seventh through 12th grade to start, at a cost of $360,000.

The Kaplan curriculum repackages what already is taught in the district into a teacher's guide. The teacher's guide tells teachers what to teach and when, although Salwei said that the time lines are suggestions.

It uses the North Dakota curriculum standards as a basis for what needs to be taught, and accomplishes that by using the district's textbooks and other resources.

The Kaplan K12 curriculum is meant to provide consistency in what is taught. The district also wants to use it to provide a more rigorous curriculum by including ideas for moving students into higher levels of learning.

The board will decide at a later date if it will go forward with purchasing services from Kaplan. If it does, classes would begin using it in fall 2007.

Concerns about staff acceptance and staff training were among board member concerns.

Superintendent Paul Johnson said building administrators support it, and teachers like the idea of a teacher's guide. Johnson said he thinks Kaplan supplies materials for staff training, but does not come out to train.

A preliminary budget for 2006-07 was approved Monday. It includes a three-mill reduction and room to approve some budget additions at a later date. The final budget will be approved in September.

The board also approved a 3.5 percent raise to the base salary for professional support staff and support staff. Also, the district will split the cost of health insurance increases.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)