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ELA team narrows resource choices to two finalists and plans public viewing March 18–April 1
Summary
The ELA team narrowed a field of screened curricula to two finalists (Into Literature and My Perspectives), will make materials available for public review March 18–April 1, and plans an RFP and a recommendation to the board in May with potential purchases beginning July 1.
Chrissy Steinhouse, an ELA literacy specialist and facilitator, presented the department’s evaluate and develop/design work and explained the team’s data‑driven rubric and resource‑screening process. After two years of review and professional development rooted in the science of reading, the team screened 25 candidate resources (using EdReports) and narrowed the field to two finalists: HMH’s Into Literature and My Perspectives.
Steinhouse outlined why new primary resources are needed: gaps in curriculum alignment to state standards, inconsistent vocabulary instruction in grades 5–8, and varying emphasis on informational texts and advanced analysis. "Universal instruction is sound when proficiency is 80%," Steinhouse said as the department’s guiding benchmark; she explained the district is falling short in several subskills and needs a resource that aligns to state standards and supports teachers.
The team will make both finalist resources available for public viewing at the district office and the library beginning March 18 through April 1 and will collect public feedback via survey. Site visits and vendor demonstrations have begun; the team will complete additional visits, finalize an RFP to evaluate costs and professional development needs, and aim to present a recommendation to the board in May for possible approval in late May with material purchases planned to start July 1 if approved.
Presenters emphasized implementing a guaranteed, standards‑aligned curriculum while attempting to preserve useful existing materials (for example, novel studies and book‑club materials) where practical. Committee members asked about novel integration and book clubs; presenters said implementation planning, including how novels fit with a chosen resource, will be decided by the department with consensus.
Next steps: public viewing March 18–April 1, RFP development, completion of site visits, a recommendation to the board in May and implementation planning if the board approves.
