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District education committee recommends Amplify CKLA for K‑3, outlines standards‑based grading rollout and training plan
Summary
The education committee recommended adopting Amplify CKLA (3rd edition) for K‑3 and described a phased implementation, professional development schedule and continued standards‑based grading rollout at early grades.
The Whitehall‑Coplay education committee on June 9 recommended the board consider adopting Amplify CKLA (third edition) as the district's K‑3 English language arts (ELA) curriculum and outlined a phased implementation and training plan. The committee also provided an update on standards‑based grading and how the new reporting approach will interact with curriculum and assessments.
Curriculum recommendation: Mrs. Hurst, who led the K‑5 ELA review team, described a year‑long review involving a diverse team of K‑5 teachers and administrators. The team examined current materials (Wonders 2017 and interim supports), surveyed evidence under the science‑of‑reading framework, conducted classroom visits and considered two primary finalist programs: Savvas MyView Literacy (2025) and Amplify CKLA (third edition). After district visits and teacher feedback — including a site visit to Northern Lehigh, which adopted Amplify — the committee recommended Amplify CKLA for K‑3, citing stronger foundational skills instruction, integrated decodable texts, a "slow start" sound‑first approach for kindergarten and strong alignment to structured‑literacy principles.
Implementation and training: The committee proposed a phased rollout. Teachers and students in grades K‑3 would implement Amplify in 2025‑26, with grades 4‑5 following in 2026‑27. The recommendation includes summer access to digital materials for teachers, virtual preview sessions, a full professional learning day on August 21 for K‑3 staff, and ongoing support via core team members who will serve as building‑level leaders.
Standards‑based grading update: Committee members Miss Mencher and Mrs. Hurst presented a standards‑based grading and reporting update focused on kindergarten and first grade rollout at Gockley (the committee used the district term "Zephyr"/school nicknames in materials). They showed videos produced with staff and students to explain classroom behaviors and the characteristics of a "successful Zephyr," and explained that the new reporting approach would align assessment items to standards and give students multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery. Board member Mr. McCool asked how the district will measure the reform's effectiveness over time; presenters said they will collect benchmark and assessment data and solicit staff and family feedback to create measurable comparisons across cohorts.
Other agreements and services: The committee reviewed several affiliation and services agreements slated for board consideration or renewal: a new affiliation agreement with Moravian University (for athletic training and related programs), renewal with Valley Youth House for school‑based mental health services, a renewal with L Tri C for nursing placements, ABA Support Services renewals, and a pending placement agreement with Hogan Learning Academy (for specialized behavioral placements). The committee also discussed moving the district's data warehouse from PowerSchool Unified Insights to LinkIt for local assessment reporting and cost considerations.
No formal adoption vote on Amplify CKLA occurred at the committee meeting; the committee requested board consideration and possible action at an upcoming full board meeting. The committee emphasized structured literacy alignment and teacher professional learning as key to successful implementation.
