[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6393709,"mediaKeyId","2105664-8c86f8ff0b7ceeabd160af0c975c8a9d","parentId",2105664,"title","FCPS staff outline literacy blueprint, screenings and teacher training; materials review set for public comment in February","audioSeconds",927,"startMs",813000,"endMs",1740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2105664-8c86f8ff0b7ceeabd160af0c975c8a9d&start=813&end=1740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2105664-8c86f8ff0b7ceeabd160af0c975c8a9d/thumbnail_813000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6393709/Maryland/FCPS-staff-outline-literacy-blueprint-screenings-and-teacher-training-materials-review-set-for-public-comment-in-February","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393709-52badce00f211c2ccf43c7ef552476a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705122&Signature=jrjYjVviJMCQ4g7CfTGcI8v9-jlxesOzdGw52VxmmMqN1EyL06~qXH671wKqEnKTpmvjtrXsWaLIsUF4eZZMPR~aj-HRc~lmpF7txd5yEr21QMmzk8vwAPQch5iYVTbJyvJ4qt8l4lboxWFWoKCkmT0tRdxUJcejIRAWXlndT2o~FO4Z~DZdwFb55xcOFABTP0dlvmpCTd2ZLreStbjMHYU6DUcoib8bfoyl6wkR8a6sTPkiYkmt~oiy0TJpat0SC6TUoCq-dDUfWRuRt8RVp~8KxUKn5WtwliuXyMVMBT8lUUwZjYKGlO-Petje8iLTVVsd4f1T-JJkWhihDp0RIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-09T16:09:17Z","article","Frederick County Public Schools staff presented the district's comprehensive literacy plan to the Curriculum & Instruction Committee, describing a package of universal screening, tiered interventions and expanded professional learning intended to align instruction across grades.

The district's Curriculum Specialist for English/literacy (name not specified in the transcript) told the committee that SCPS uses a universal screening tool and a response-to-instruction program referred to in the meeting as 'iGRID', and that the personalized instructional and assessment platform i-Ready is used for growth monitoring. The specialist said the district's plan includes 'standards for English language arts', a social and systematic foundation for skills instruction, and tools to monitor progress and prescribe supports.

Why it matters: universal screening and consistent instructional materials are central to identifying struggling readers early and targeting interventions. Committee members pressed staff on how screening data is applied in classrooms and on long-term cost and sustainability of materials.

Meeting details and staff roles
The presentation described a multi-tiered approach: universal screening to identify needs; literacy specialists who coach teachers and provide onsite, job-embedded professional learning; quarterly PLC nights for teacher collaboration; and the Accelerated Learning Process (ALP) for teacher-led, data-focused instruction. The Curriculum Specialist said literacy specialists receive a 'diverse toolkit' to support teachers and students and that new hires receive preservice onboarding to district curriculum and assessment resources.

Staff described LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) as a required professional learning sequence; the Curriculum Specialist said the district has heard ''positive, positive vibes' about LETRS from teachers across experience levels and that veteran teachers report it as validating. The committee was told that literacy leaders monitor benchmarks and use prior-year data in school-improvement planning.

High-school materials review and budget note
A textbook review committee for high-school English language arts has recommended some products to move forward, staff said. Those materials will be posted for public display in February and opened for public comment, the Curriculum Specialist said. Staff noted that purchasing new high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) for secondary ELA involves budgetary considerations; the timing and amount of any purchase were not specified during the meeting.

Assessment and alignment
Staff described benchmarks modeled on state assessments and local formative checks. They emphasized administering benchmarks after the standard is taught and aligning benchmark design to the state's expectations so students encounter familiar item types. The Curriculum Specialist said this helps students demonstrate knowledge on formal assessments rather than be surprised by unfamiliar item formats.

Quotes and attributions
'The LETRS course has elicited 'positive, positive vibes' from teachers across experience levels,' the Curriculum Specialist said, describing classroom-level reactions to the professional learning.

Next steps and outlook
Staff asked the committee to help share timelines for public review of recommended high-school materials and said they will continue reporting on benchmark revisions, LETRS rollout and ALP implementation. No formal vote was taken at this meeting; committee members asked staff for follow-up materials, including visuals of the ALP process and additional budget clarifications.

Ending
Staff said they will make recommended high-school ELA materials available for public comment in February and will bring additional implementation visuals and budget detail back to the committee for future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Curriculum & Instruction Committee Meeting - January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Frederick County Public Schools staff presented the district's comprehensive literacy plan to the Curriculum & Instruction Committee, describing a package of universal screening, tiered interventions and expanded professional learning intended to align instruction across grades.","taxTitle","Frederick County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",14207,"location","Maryland","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6393702,"FCPS outlines NGSS-aligned science instruction, outdoor-school capacity limits and STEM outreach programs",3558,2636000,6194000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2105664-8c86f8ff0b7ceeabd160af0c975c8a9d&start=2636&end=6194","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2105664-8c86f8ff0b7ceeabd160af0c975c8a9d/thumbnail_2636000.jpg","/articles/6393702/Maryland/FCPS-outlines-NGSS-aligned-science-instruction-outdoor-school-capacity-limits-and-STEM-outreach-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393702-e5d31ba28030044383cf886aac7565ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770705122&Signature=D-CTHvk5M42jKXipcRrCsV-kpHAUxvDwezW1YayoDG-OkZ4dBgtC3oxcEaxe9lNpBom5E33mlgmI38gJIgrKabypkAQx4lqwf5SLc9lgAKcKA~jVj0NtBsALHRlRMILBw4J7a-ETTNYcMLJPbFhOx0NgScK2dzYyZr3CNVTMtmsOmFdOp4RSCcvPoibMV9k2ITunAjelGk28ckjwKjYVdoyTI3o0c~cT2~G9~MF4xMi2tqyQjOR27ayUvE9CPKSmPruszjoD~lAKa8~8YhPs92R95QtjApwIpOqCU3a~ByjGsNQfzhS7jtVZvr7U-vMkRQ4Zz~CNfgApiZ1pjd55xA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frederick County Public Schools staff described a districtwide push to teach science through three-dimensional instruction aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), while flagging capacity limits in field-based programs and outlining outreach that advances student projects to regional and national science fairs.

The district's secondary science lead, Colm Beal, and other science staff explained that instruction emphasizes disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts so students encounter phenomena and inquiry rather than isolated facts. Staff said middle schools use a grade-band model (6'8) and high schools offer core courses plus electives such as forensics, geology and data science.

Why it matters: The shift to three-dimensional science instruction is intended to build analytical skills and better prepare students for high-school courses and assessments tied to graduation requirements. At the same time, hands-on field experiences and outdoor programs are resource-intensive; staff warned capacity constraints are forcing schedule changes that reduce some student experiences.

Assessments and alignment
Staff described the Maryland Integrated Science Assessment (MISA) as a cumulative measure for elementary (mapped across grades 3'5) and explained that the district develops local benchmark assessments to align instruction and lower student unfamiliarity with item types. High-school biology is an end-of-course assessment that the presentation said counts for 20% of a student's final grade under state policy; staff said this is affecting cohorts now in 10th grade.

Grama Space Science Lab, outdoor school and capacity limits
Staff highlighted the Grama Space Science Lab at Lincoln Elementary as a museum-quality learning site with hands-on exhibits and special programming. The presenter said about 18,000 students visited in past years and this year visits approach 20,000; staff also said about 1,200 parent chaperones participated. Because county enrollment has increased, staff said they reduced the 5th-grade outdoor-school experience from two full days to one and a half days to fit available buses and staffing.

On transportation and staffing, staff explained that a single outdoor-school rotation typically requires multiple buses and teaching staff; one exchange in the meeting referenced 'three teachers, three buses' as the rough staffing footprint for some rotation days. Staff said hiring and budget constraints and the regional bus-driver shortage limit capacity to expand programming immediately.

STEM pipeline and equity efforts
Staff described the county science fair structure: top middle-school projects are nominated for the Thermo Fisher Junior Innovators Challenge and top high-school projects go to the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The district also runs an Envirothon competition and supports outdoor-school day programs (grades 5 and 6) at multiple county and state park sites.

Equity and participation
Committee members raised concerns about underrepresentation of girls and students from underserved communities in STEM pathways. Staff said the district runs targeted outreach, including a female-focused evening series that invites female professionals and features after-school activities open to English learners and families. Staff noted partnerships with the National Park Service and other local institutions for program support, and said they continue to explore formal partnerships to increase capacity.

Quotes and attributions
'NGSS asks us to teach science in 3-D: disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts,' Colm Beal, secondary science lead, said, describing the instructional approach.

Next steps
Staff asked the committee to support exploring partnerships and capacity solutions while continuing NGSS-aligned curriculum development, benchmark review and teacher professional learning. No formal vote or binding commitment was made at the meeting; staff said they will return with proposals for capacity and partnership options.

Ending
Staff signaled ongoing curriculum work over the summer and invited committee input on capacity solutions for outdoor-school programming and museum-site visits.","District science staff described implementation of three-dimensional NGSS-aligned instruction across elementary, middle and high school; the Grama Space Science Lab and outdoor-school programs serve thousands but face capacity constraints (buses and staffing); the county's science fair pipeline advances top projects to national competitions.","actionData","errors"]

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FCPS staff outline literacy blueprint, screenings and teacher training; materials review set for public comment in February

FCPS outlines NGSS-aligned science instruction, outdoor-school capacity limits and STEM outreach programs