Act 135 literacy rules prompt structured-literacy rollout; Upper Dublin pilots ELA resources and plans professional development
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Summary
District staff briefed the board on Act 135 literacy requirements (evidence-based curriculum adoption by 2027–28, required PD for certain educators by 2028–29, and universal screening three times annually) and described ongoing elementary and secondary ELA pilots that will inform recommendations to the board in May.
District administrators told the education committee on Jan. 7 they are preparing to meet new state literacy requirements under what presenters referenced as Act 135, and that current work puts Upper Dublin in a favorable position to comply.
Ms. Drennan summarized the statute’s main parts as described by the Pennsylvania Department of Education: districts must adopt an evidence-based reading curriculum by 2027–28; identify lead educators at each school to support implementation; require professional development for elementary-certified teachers, special-education teachers, reading specialists and administrators (with training completion reported to the state and expected by 2028–29); implement a universal reading screener given three times per year; and create reading intervention plans for students identified with a deficiency.
"We are currently piloting two programs at elementary and two at middle school that would be considered evidence-based reading curriculum," a presenter said, adding that the district is confident the options under review meet the requirements. The district currently uses iReady as its universal screener and administrators said they are hopeful it will meet state standards.
Ms. Poussey (curriculum staff) explained the structured-literacy framework and the science of reading, highlighting components such as phonics, phonemic awareness, orthography, morphology, syntax and semantics and referencing Scarborough’s Reading Rope as a guiding graphic. She emphasized structured literacy is "systematic explicit instruction" that includes speaking, reading, writing, listening and spelling.
Administrators described the ELA pilot process: elementary teachers began piloting Amplify CKLA and another elementary resource before winter break, with weekly classroom observations and a review period through March; secondary pilots (Amplify and CommonLit) will begin at Sandy Run Middle School Jan. 26 and conclude with recommendations to the board in May.
Board members asked about training cadence and whether PD will be a one-time or recurring requirement; administrators said they believe PD will be set on a three-year cadence as part of the comprehensive plan but are awaiting state clarification.
What’s next: The district will continue pilots through March and April, analyze data and return recommendations to the board in May; administrators also plan to identify lead educators and estimate PD and any staffing needs once student-identification numbers are clearer.
