District hears competing pitches for K–6 ELA core as pilot wraps up

Benchmark Advance and Great Minds presented competing English language arts curricula to the Wallingford‑Swarthmore School District Education Affairs Committee as the district’s classroom pilot for K–5 ELA nears completion.

Committee Chair Dr. Sharon Badick told the meeting that pilot classrooms will finish instructional materials on Friday, Aug. 4, and that staff will survey teachers and students immediately after the pilot; the committee will receive a recommendation in May. The presentations summarized classroom materials, assessment and digital supports, and implementation plans.

Why it matters: the committee is narrowing an adoption decision that will determine the district’s primary K–6 ELA materials and the associated professional development, student consumables and digital platforms for multiple grades. Staff said a May recommendation will guide summer professional development and fall rollout planning.

Benchmark Advance, represented in person by John Wolf and Molly Felicia, described the Benchmark Advance 2026…