Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves five-year agreement to adopt Core Knowledge Language Arts for K-5
Summary
District staff recommended Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) as the K-5 ELA curricular resource; the board approved a five-year agreement (up to $480,000) as part of a consent agenda vote.
The Big Walnut Local Board of Education approved a five-year agreement Monday to adopt Core Knowledge Language Arts as the district—s K-5 English-language arts instructional resource.
The board approved the contract as part of a consent agenda that passed after a motion and second; the contract value was listed in agenda materials as up to $480,000 for the five-year agreement.
Why the district chose CKLA
Mike Robertson, who led the pilot and adoption recommendation, told the board the recommendation came after teacher and family feedback and a teacher pilot comparing two programs. "We are at a point now to make a recommendation for the adoption of Core Knowledge Language Arts as our K-five ELA curricular resource," Robertson said, adding that pilot teachers reported strong student engagement, improved written responses and discussion, and that the materials returned planning time to teachers.
Robertson summarized the three main strengths pilot teachers reported: student engagement; the curriculum's systematic approach to knowledge building, which he described as key to improving reading comprehension; and ease of use, including plans that substitutes can follow. Robertson said publisher support during the pilot was "very impressive" and he expected vendor support to continue into implementation.
Funding and approvals
Superintendent Ryan McClain noted that the state will cover a significant portion of the purchase under current funding rules, though not the full cost. The CKLA contract appeared on the board—s consent business list as agenda item 9.5; the consent agenda (all business items except one postponed item) passed in a roll-call vote.
What the board decided
By approving the consent agenda, the board authorized the administration to execute the CKLA agreement and proceed with implementation planning. Administration and pilot teachers said training and implementation supports are part of the vendor package and will be scheduled with schools.
Ending
Board members praised the pilot teachers and asked staff to keep the board and community informed as implementation, staff training and classroom rollouts are scheduled.
