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District presents K–8 ELA pilot results; teachers favor Amplify for a districtwide curriculum
Summary
District staff reported results of a year-long K–8 English language arts pilot involving 47 teachers and multiple vendors. Teachers’ rubrics showed strong performance for middle-school comprehension and writing; staff outlined next steps toward a potential Amplify adoption with professional development if the board approves.
District curriculum leads presented a year-long pilot of potential kindergarten-through-eighth-grade English language arts programs and told the Board of Education on Jan. 12 that teachers generally favored the Amplify option.
During a presentation, staff said 47 teachers participated in the pilot (37 K–5 teachers and 10 middle-school teachers). The pilot process drew on vendor demonstrations, teacher site visits and a rubric adapted from a knowledge-based review tool to evaluate instructional design, assessment, reading comprehension, writing, academic vocabulary and supports for students with special needs. Staff said they used EdReports scores to help narrow vendor choices.
Staff identified Amplify (CKLA for elementary and Amplify for grades 6–8) and Arts & Letters/Wit and Wisdom among the products piloted; MyView was reviewed as the district’s incumbent product. According to the presentation, middle-school rubric scores were “meeting expectations or above” across categories, with comprehension especially strong. Staff said Amplify “edged out” competitors in most rubric areas and that teachers reported higher rigor and stronger writing instruction in Amplify.
Presenters said next steps include a public display of curriculum materials, follow-up teacher presentations to the board planned for February and professional development for all teachers if the district moves forward. Staff recommended giving pilot teachers continued access to materials through the remainder of the school year so they can help with onboarding if the board adopts a single K–8 curriculum next year.
District staff cautioned that adoption is not yet final: a recommendation and any purchase would return to the board for approval. The presenters said professional development is planned for May, ahead of a possible full rollout, and emphasized that teachers will receive initial and follow-up training once a decision is made.
Why it matters: Adopting one aligned K–8 ELA curriculum would be the district’s first comprehensive, articulated ELA program and could change classroom materials, assessment formats and teacher training across the district. Trustees asked for more data comparing students in dual-language programs with those in monolingual tracks before final action.
The board did not vote on adoption at the Jan. 12 meeting; staff said they expect to return with teacher-led demonstrations and a formal recommendation in February.
