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Carroll County reiterates focus on science of reading, keeps cursive and financial literacy requirements
Summary
Officials told the joint meeting the district is expanding instructional materials aligned to the science of reading, retains cursive in grades 3-5 and requires a half-credit financial literacy course for graduation.
School leaders told commissioners that the district is reinforcing early-reading instruction and maintaining related graduation requirements.
Dr. McCabe said the district is implementing a revised K–5 reading curriculum (Benchmark Advance) and increasing materials and professional learning aligned with the science of reading. The district emphasized early interventions tied to Maryland’s new statewide focus on third-grade reading proficiency and noted that state policy will require accelerated intervention when students are not on grade level by third grade.
On cursive, staff said cursive instruction remains part of the elementary program in grades 3–5 and is integrated into the foundations/phonics work. A curriculum official said the county’s instruction already emphasizes phonics and phonemic awareness, and that the new materials will further align classroom practice with reading science.
Officials also confirmed that financial literacy remains a required half-credit graduation course in the district; the superintendent said the county requires the course in addition to state requirements and that recent county housing work group recommendations reference financial-literacy topics for students.
Staff acknowledged some special-education students will graduate reading below grade-level benchmarks because of documented disabilities; the district said it will continue to use interventions, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and program placement to provide appropriate services. The district said it aims to improve reading outcomes overall and will monitor the effectiveness of the new curriculum and professional learning.
