After yearlong pilot, U‑46 recommends middle‑school ELA curriculum for grades 6–8
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Summary
Following a yearlong pilot in dozens of classrooms, district staff recommended adopting a common middle‑school English language arts curriculum for grades 6–8, citing positive engagement and plans for teacher launch PD, site coaching and a materials purchase; implementation would begin in 2025–26 if approved.
District curriculum staff on May 5 recommended that the U‑46 Board of Education adopt a common middle‑school English language arts curriculum for grades 6–8 after a yearlong pilot, saying pilot teachers and students showed improved engagement and that pacing adjustments had been made.
Presenters said about 55 teachers participated in the pilot and described a three‑unit, 12‑week pacing pattern per grade level. Grade‑level core texts and accompanying trade books would be provided as consumables so students can annotate and keep copies; staff said classroom libraries and online supports would be used to differentiate and extend background knowledge. The recommended digital resources include Open Up Resources (Canvas-based OER), NoRedInk for grammar practice, and CommonLit for supplemental texts.
Implementation would include teacher launch professional learning this spring if the board approves, required August 2025 PD, and job‑embedded coaching with six site visits through the EL Education coaching model. Staff listed materials costs in the presentation (materials total roughly $2,000,446.70, annual recurring cost about $219,930, and estimated per‑pupil annual cost about $30) and said they will monitor implementation through common assessments, coaching feedback and standardized achievement data.
Why it matters: a common curriculum across middle schools changes core instructional materials, pacing and teacher supports and aims to improve alignment and student outcomes; the board did not take a final adoption vote during the May 5 meeting.
