Jersey Shore board approves CKLA K–5 curriculum after lengthy presentation and public concerns

On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Jersey Shore Area School District Board of School Directors voted to approve a curriculum item related to the Amplify/Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) K–5 program after a presentation by vendor representatives and an extended question-and-answer session.

District Superintendent Dr. Ulmer introduced Laura Soder and Lucy Kisic of Amplify/CKLA, who gave a roughly 15- to 30-minute overview of the program and took questions from board members. The presenters described CKLA as “built on the science of reading,” emphasizing structured literacy, separate “knowledge” and “skill” strands in K–2 and an integrated strand in grades 3–5. Lucy Kisic said the vendor would provide professional development and ongoing coaching, and described the initial on‑site training as six hours: “3 hours in the morning, 3 hours in the afternoon,” for grade-band teachers. Laura Soder described the curriculum as comprehensive and said she is “a proud CKLA parent.”

Board members and several members of the public pressed the presenters on multiple issues: how the program handles students who are below grade-level readers, the frequency and form of spelling and writing practice, the structure of decodable readers for K–2, and the district-level choices available for unit topics. Presenters said K–2 uses 100% decodable readers, that K–3 spelling follows a five-day rotation tied to phonics instruction, and that grades 4–5 include two spelling assessments per unit. They said districts may choose between two optional units in certain grades and that each 3‑week unit is intended to build background knowledge over time.

Several residents and board members objected to specific books and illustrations shown in the CKLA materials. One public commenter said visual imagery and certain story content seemed “dark” and not age-appropriate for early elementary grades; another raised concerns about materials the commenter described as focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social‑justice topics, and asserted ideological influence in the program’s origins. Ray Beerely, who identified himself from Piatt Township, thanked board members and district staff for their work selecting a program and said he “trust[s] your judgment.” Bob Prowler, a resident of Mifflin Township, told the board: “I am tired of indoctrination in this country,” and urged the board not to adopt material he described as political. Presenters offered to send efficacy and research materials and to provide digital demo access and additional print samples for the board and district staff to review.

After the presentation and public comment, the board discussed the curriculum item under the agenda’s curriculum and instruction section and then voted. President called for the vote; board members responded “aye,” and the motion passed. The meeting record lists the board members present at roll call at the start of the meeting: Mister Allen, Mister Bringer, Miss Edwards, Mister McDonald, Mister Peters, Mister Fuhrman and Missus Thomas.

Superintendent Ulmer and the presenters said implementation support would include on‑site training and continuing coaching; presenters reiterated that CKLA’s third edition includes the district-level choice of units and digital/print access for family letters and home supports. Board members asked for additional documentation and for sample units to be provided to teachers and community members before full classroom rollout.

The board approved the curriculum item during the April 28 meeting; officials said staff will continue implementation planning, professional development scheduling and follow-up outreach to address concerns raised by board members and the public.