During a recent board of education meeting, officials presented a comprehensive update on the middle school English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, highlighting a proposed pilot program aimed at modernizing educational resources for seventh and eighth graders. Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Miss Mysdourvitch, along with Director of Curriculum Instruction Miss Banks and Literacy Coordinator Miss Johnson, emphasized the need for an updated curriculum, noting that the current materials have been in use since 2014.

The proposed curriculum, based on EL Education—a nationally recognized open educational resource—aims to enhance student engagement and align with the district's strategic goals for effective teaching and student success. The curriculum will cater to a diverse range of learners, including English as a Second Language (ESL) students and those in general education and gifted programs.

Key features of the new curriculum include providing students with high-quality texts in various formats—print, audio, and e-books—allowing for a more personalized learning experience. Students will engage in creating authentic products, such as podcasts and e-books, fostering connections between classroom learning and real-world applications.

In a significant shift, the proposal also suggests merging the current gifted and challenged English courses into a single honors curriculum. This change is intended to create a more cohesive learning environment for students with similar intellectual abilities and to streamline the teaching process for educators who currently manage multiple course preparations.

The curriculum update process began in spring 2023, with a committee reviewing frameworks, assessments, and text selections. The instructional council has recommended a pilot program to ensure a smooth transition from the existing curriculum to the new one, which is designed to provide a consistent experience for both students and teachers.

Financial considerations include the purchase of print editions of the curriculum guides and core trade books, which will be consumable and allow students to annotate and engage more deeply with the texts. The curriculum also emphasizes independent reading and book clubs to enhance vocabulary and background knowledge, addressing concerns that students may have less exposure to diverse experiences.

Overall, the proposed curriculum aims to create a more engaging and effective learning environment for middle school students, preparing them for future academic and career opportunities. The board will review the pilot program's implementation in the coming months.