District plans Pre-AP English rollout, proposes in‑person training with Carol Jago

District curriculum staff told the Education & Student Services Committee they plan to adopt College Board Pre‑AP English for ninth and tenth grades and are proposing an in‑person professional‑learning engagement with educator Carol Jago to prepare teachers for the transition.

“Carol Jago…is a guru in the area of teaching reading,” a presenter said, noting Jago is a former president of the National Council of Teachers of English and has advised the College Board. Staff said a recent virtual session with a small group of English teachers included practical feedback on selected texts and model lessons, and that the Pre‑AP framework would allow the district to return to more full‑length novels in the secondary curriculum.

Staff said the district would like to host Jago in person for two afternoon sessions on June 8 and 9, with virtual follow‑up across the coming school year. The in‑person engagement would cover travel and presentation fees, and staff said they will bring the contract and exact cost to the full board for approval.

Presenters emphasized that the move is a curriculum transition after SpringBoard was sunset and that professional learning is necessary given several recent curriculum changes and new hires who have not taught with novels. District staff framed the in‑person sessions as more cost‑effective than sending teachers out of district and as an investment in multi‑year professional development rather than a one‑off training.

Next steps: staff will provide a formal cost and contract to the full board in advance of the board vote.