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Visalia Unified board moves ahead with K–6 writing programs and mCLASS DIBELS 8 screener amid board questions
Summary
After staff recommended two elementary writing curricula and the mCLASS DIBELS 8 reading difficulties risk screener, the board approved the items on the consent agenda. Trustees debated coherence across existing programs, rollout timing and teacher burden during discussion before the consent vote passed unanimously.
The Visalia Unified School District Board of Trustees approved the recommended elementary writing curricula and a reading difficulties risk screener as part of the consent agenda after a night of questions and debate about coherence and implementation.
Administrator of teaching and learning Brianne Phillips told the board the proposals came from district curriculum committees that piloted materials and included classroom teachers, instructional coaches and administrators. "To live our mission of every student learning every day, we need to equip our teachers with the resources to design and deliver quality first instruction," Phillips said, describing the committees’ process and the recommended products.
Phillips said the committee recommended two writing programs: a K–3 program (identified in committee documents as Bridge to Writing) and a program for grades 4–6 (Step Up to Writing). The K–3 package was described as including student print materials, teacher kits, digital licenses and built-in professional learning; the…
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