Subcommittee approves recommendation to adopt Carnegie 'Lenses on Literature' for 9–12 ELA

BROCKTON, Mass. — The Brockton School Committee curriculum subcommittee voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a recommendation to adopt Carnegie Learning’s Lenses on Literature as the district’s high-quality instructional material (HQIM) for grades 9–12 English language arts and to advance the adoption to the full School Committee for final approval.

The recommendation, presented by district academic staff and pilot teachers, responds to lower-than-state-average ELA results and persistent achievement gaps among students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Michelle Connors, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning (grades 6–12), told the subcommittee that adopting an HQIM is part of Brockton’s memorandum of understanding with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the district’s Student Opportunity Act commitments. “After going through this process, our recommendation is to adopt Carnegie Lenses on Literature,” Connors said.

Presenters described the selection process as a two-vendor field test. Roughly 10 teachers from Brockton High School and other secondary sites participated on a curriculum team; five teachers piloted both products under consideration (StudySync from McGraw Hill and Carnegie Learning’s Lenses on Literature). The pilot, district staff said, favored Carnegie for its unit cohesion, built-in scaffolds for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, and its professional learning supports. “The biggest thing…is the cohesion,” said Matt McGee, instructional resource specialist for Brockton High School ELA, who piloted both programs.

District staff outlined how a Lenses unit would run: a driving task as an end-of-unit prompt, repeated close readings of a grade-level anchor text, background-building texts, synthesis and discussion activities, and a writing product. Presenters emphasized seven levels of digital scaffolds to support students who are below grade level and said the platform allows activities to be completed either digitally or on paper. A sample unit shown during the meeting included Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” as an anchor text and supplemental background articles that can be viewed in students’ native languages.

Connors and other staff said professional learning and implementation supports are central to success. About 40 English teachers are slated to receive training, with more for co-teachers and building/district leaders; Carnegie representatives would provide on-site coaching, classroom support, calibration of student work, and data-analysis visits. The district said formal training would start over the summer and continue through the first three years of implementation.

On cost, the superintendent said the materials contract is manageable and built into the district’s budget planning. District staff estimated materials at approximately $750,000 over six years, with about $250,000 proposed from net school spending carryover for the initial purchase. Staff said they prioritized both the materials and funding for implementation, including workshops and coaching.

The subcommittee motion to approve the 9–12 ELA curriculum adoption process was made by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Mr. Gomes; a show-of-hands vote was recorded as unanimous. The approval at the subcommittee level will be forwarded to the full School Committee for consideration as part of next year’s budget and implementation plan.

What happens next: the district will present the budget investment plan and the detailed funding request to the School Committee at its next meeting. If the full committee approves funding and final adoption, the district plans a phased launch with sustained professional learning and classroom coaching.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the 9–12 ELA curriculum adoption process — mover: Mr. Sullivan; seconder: Mr. Gomes; outcome: approved unanimously by subcommittee (show of hands).