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Elementary principals weigh moving to unleveled ELA groups in grades 4–5 as Wit & Wisdom and MTSS roll in
Summary
Elementary principals told the board they are considering shifting fourth‑ and fifth‑grade ELA classes from leveled groups to unleveled heterogeneous classrooms for 2025–26, citing the Wit & Wisdom curriculum and the district’s MTSS structure as enablers.
District administrators informed the board that elementary principals are considering a change in fourth‑ and fifth‑grade English language arts grouping from leveled (grade‑level vs. enrichment) to unleveled heterogeneous groups for the 2025–26 school year.
Presenters said the consideration follows months of principal review of neighboring districts’ practice and teacher feedback and is tied to the district’s adoption of the Wit & Wisdom knowledge‑based ELA curriculum. Under Wit & Wisdom, principals said shared texts and scaffolded materials allow students with weaker decoding skills to participate meaningfully in class discussion and benefit from teacher and peer modeling.
Principals noted advantages they expect if a shift is made: (1) all students would have access to the same high‑quality texts and classroom experiences regardless of prior leveling; (2) heterogeneous grouping allows peer learning and leadership opportunities for students who might otherwise be in enrichment groups; and (3) the district’s MTSS (referred to in the presentation as win time or "what I need" time) would continue to provide targeted daily interventions for students who need reinforcement or acceleration.
Administrators said the proposed change would apply only to ELA for grades 4 and 5 in the upcoming year and would not affect math groupings (math leveling in grades 3–5 would remain in place). They said principals will gather additional stakeholder input over the next few weeks and expect to return with a final recommendation in May. No vote was taken at the meeting; the item was presented as an informational update.
Board members were told teachers have differentiation supports embedded in the Wit & Wisdom materials and that the MTSS block will continue to provide targeted instruction to students whose needs remain after whole‑class lessons.
District staff emphasized the limited scope of the current consideration (grades 4–5 ELA only) and indicated they will communicate any final plan prior to the next school year.
