Kingston board adopts CKLA reading curriculum; district outlines training, tiered supports

The Kingston City School District Board of Education voted to adopt the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) reading curriculum after trustees reviewed pilot data and asked questions about supports for students who need tier 2 and tier 3 interventions.

District staff said CKLA will serve as the district’s tier‑1 reading program and that the adoption includes supplemental tools and supports for vocabulary and intervention. “Yes, we are going to be utilizing that vocab app,” a district curriculum presenter said during the discussion. Staff also described a supplemental product, Language Studio, intended for multilingual learners and students with disabilities.

Why it matters: The board’s adoption changes the district’s primary ELA curriculum for the applicable grades and triggers a sequence of professional development and vendor coaching intended to support classroom implementation. Trustees pressed for clarity about how tiered interventions will link to the new core instruction and how teachers will be trained.

Board discussion and staff responses Trustees asked whether the New York State K–3 literacy curriculum review rubric and the Instructional Best Practices document were used in the district’s review. Staff confirmed those resources had been added to the district library and said the district used walk‑throughs and vendor debriefs during the pilot phase.

Trustees raised a second set of questions about tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary supports. In response, staff said Amplify (the CKLA vendor) recommends a vocabulary app and that pilot teachers had highlighted strong vocabulary instruction during classroom visits. “An example that keeps coming to mind … a third grader was using the word metamorphosis, correctly,” the presenter said, adding that teachers reported students using vocabulary outside reading lessons and at home.

On supports for multilingual learners and students with disabilities, staff described Language Studio — an add‑on included in the CKLA package that provides parallel lessons across reading, writing, speaking and listening, plus progress‑monitoring rubrics and scaffolded materials. The presenter said that Language Studio “provides anchor charts and graphic organizers that allows us to easily scaffold for every learner.”

Professional development and rollout The district described a multi‑step PD plan tied to the adoption. Staff said the first vendor‑delivered training will be a March 12 superintendent’s conference day session: a six‑hour implementation kickoff to be provided by Amplify. The district then plans embedded coaching and classroom visits by vendor staff with debriefs, and additional in‑district follow‑up during the coming school year. Staff characterized CKLA as a “complete shift” in instruction and said the training is intended to give teachers a head start before classroom implementation.

Board action A motion to adopt the CKLA curriculum was brought to a vote and approved by the Board of Education. The motion text, mover and seconder were not specified on the public record. The board chair called for a voice vote; trustees responded “Aye” and the chair declared CKLA approved.

What the board recorded and next steps Staff said district schools will receive the language‑support and vocabulary tools included in the CKLA package, that Amplify will provide initial training on March 12, and that the vendor will deliver embedded coaching and follow‑up visits. Staff also said they will continue monitoring alignment of tier 2 and tier 3 interventions and report back to the board on progress and any further resource needs.

No legal authorities or statutes were cited during the discussion. The board placed the curriculum materials in the district library prior to the vote and proceeded with adoption during the meeting.

Ending: The board approved CKLA with staff committing to vendor training, supplemental language supports and ongoing monitoring of tiered interventions; staff will return to the board with implementation updates as the rollout proceeds.