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Valley Central reviews CKLA literacy pilot; staff recommend broader adoption pending end‑of‑year data
Summary
Assistant superintendent for curriculum reviewed the Amplify CKLA literacy pilot, describing survey results from students, teachers and parents and noting preliminary midyear assessment results that favored pilot classrooms; no district‑wide adoption was approved, but the proposed 2025–26 budget includes funding for CKLA materials.
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction presented findings from the district’s pilot of the Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) literacy program and outlined next steps including continued piloting, data collection and a possible district‑level adoption decision.
Why it matters: The presentation connected the pilot to the district’s literacy goals and noted state guidance pushing for literacy instruction that aligns with the “science of reading.” The district is weighing evidence from teacher and student feedback, local assessments and midyear diagnostic comparisons before making a final adoption decision.
What the district presented: The curriculum office said the pilot included multiple elementary grade levels. The presentation reported 234 responses from third through fifth graders about elements they liked; pilot teachers cited clearer, more explicit teacher manuals, integrated grammar and writing supports, and assessment tools (DIBELS, mClass and Amplify’s Boost reading). Teacher survey responses showed 81 percent of pilot teachers recommending the program for district use. Parent feedback (65 responses) noted gains in reading comprehension, phonics and vocabulary, though some parents said the program can be demanding for students.
Preliminary assessment comparisons presented at midyear showed that pilot students in four of six comparable grade levels posted gains over non‑pilot peers; presenters cautioned that end‑of‑year data is needed for a full evaluation. The presenter also noted that CKLA includes a digital assessment suite and an intervention path (Boost reading) but emphasized that teachers must continue to exercise professional judgment.
Budget link and next steps: District budget materials presented the CKLA line items under curriculum and instruction; administrators said CKLA costs are multiyear and that the budget includes an allocation to begin districtwide implementation if the board decides to adopt. No formal adoption vote occurred on March 25. The presenter said additional data will be available in June and staff will bring recommendations forward after end‑of‑year results are analyzed.
Quotable: The presenter said the pilot “offers a comprehensive suite” of assessment and instruction while noting “any program is not perfect” and that teachers must still use classroom assessment to differentiate instruction.
Status: Pilot ongoing. Staff recommended continued review and asked the board to await end‑of‑year diagnostic and program data before approving any district‑wide adoption.
