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DC Prep board selects Amplify for new ELA curriculum, outlines rollout plan
Summary
Board presenter Cassie said the network’s task force reviewed three EdReports‑approved options and chose Amplify for its alignment with the science of reading, stronger writing and vocabulary support, and resources for multilingual learners and students with IEPs. The board heard a pilot and training timeline.
DC Prep’s board on Feb. 3 approved the network’s selection of Amplify as its new English language arts curriculum and heard details of a phased rollout that school leaders say is designed to reduce variation in classroom literacy outcomes.
“We have made a decision on our ELA curriculum,” Cassie said, describing a task‑force process that included more than 20 members, teacher pilots with students and external reviews. Cassie said the choices considered were all EdReports “green‑lit” programs and that Amplify was selected for its emphasis on the science of reading and on writing, language and vocabulary.
Cassie told the board the task force tested sample lessons, videotaped classroom implementations and debriefed with teachers; she said Amplify provides vertically aligned, grade‑banded materials and built‑in differentiation for English‑learners and students with individualized education programs. “We’re adopting four different curriculum from Amplify,” Cassie said, and described materials and unit assessments the vendor supplies.
The presentation included an implementation timeline: pilots in May and June, four full‑day trainings in March for the task force and additional summer and August orientation training, stipends for early‑training teachers and ongoing central‑office support for classroom co‑teaching during pilots. Cassie said some unit and daily assessments will come from Amplify, while larger benchmark tools (ANET, DIBELS, NWEA) will remain in place.
Cassie stated a network goal tied to the adoption: “Our hope in implementing Amplify is that 100% of our students in kindergarten through second grade will be reading on reading level by the end of the year.” She framed that as an aspirational target linked to implementing the program with fidelity alongside teacher development and data use.
Board members asked about prior large‑scale rollouts and who would manage the project. Cassie said similar scale work last occurred during state‑level shifts such as Common Core and said she and her team will lead implementation, working closely with operations and contracts staff. She also said the network has contracted Amplify for on‑the‑ground training and coaching.
The board did not take a separate formal vote on the curriculum at this meeting beyond hearing the update and approving meeting minutes and agenda items; Cassie said the team will continue pilots and report back with implementation data and next steps.
The board’s materials link the curriculum decision to the organization’s five‑year plan and to an annual plan theme intended to reduce variability across classrooms and improve network instructional coherence.
