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District highlights literacy gains as CKLA enters second year
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Summary
District leaders told the Board of Education that year‑two implementation of CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) is producing greater classroom consistency, expanded LETRS training for teachers and actionable assessment data; presenters said the district’s goal is 90% of students at benchmark.
Webster Central School District leaders presented an update on the second year of implementing the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade, telling the Board of Education the rollout is paired with LETRS professional development and frequent benchmark assessments.
At the meeting, Dr. Leggett and instructional specialists said CKLA aligns with New York State English Language Arts standards and is designed to build students’ vocabulary and background knowledge. The district has paired CKLA lessons with LETRS training for teachers and a data platform that lets teachers see benchmark results "at the teacher's fingertips." In describing district targets, presenters stated, "our goal is 90%" of students at benchmark or above.
Presenters described a three‑tiered assessment approach: universal benchmark checks three times per year (fall, winter, spring), diagnostic follow‑ups where needed, and CKLA unit assessments to guide instruction. District staff said lead teachers meet monthly to align grading and ensure consistency, and they run structured reflect‑and‑prep days so buildings can share effective practices.
Board members asked for clarifications about the chart showing cohort gains; presenters said the second blue dot on the chart represents students entering the next grade at higher starting points than the prior cohort. Staff described early signs of stronger recall between grade levels and said student engagement at culminating unit activities has been high.
The board approved the written instruction report as presented. The district said it will continue to monitor outcomes across the seven district buildings and report back on progress against the 90% goal.
