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Monson subcommittee previews CKLA, Into Literature, PLTW and Character Strong for 2026–27 curriculum
Summary
At a May 26 meeting, Monson’s Curriculum Subcommittee reviewed recommended adoptions for 2026–27 — K–5 CKLA, 6–8 Into Literature, Character Strong for SEL, and PLTW Launch for K–5 science — and discussed costs, PRISM grant options and implementation timelines.
The Monson School Committee Curriculum Subcommittee reviewed a package of recommended curriculum adoptions and instructional shifts for the 2026–27 school year at its May 26 meeting, and administrators said they will bring formal recommendations to the full School Committee for a vote.
Administrators presented Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) as the recommended K–5 English language arts program, saying CKLA received the highest ratings from third-party reviewers cited in the presentation (DESE CURATE and EdReports) and meets the criteria noted for proposed K–3 curriculum legislation (House Bill 4683). The administration reported a three-year materials cost of $124,757 for CKLA and said PRISM funding, if awarded, could cover $86,718 of that amount. The presentation noted that Appleseeds was developed based on CKLA and that another finalist, Benchmark Advance, does not meet the DESE definition of high-quality K–3 curriculum as described in the subcommittee materials.
For grades 6–8 ELA, the selection team unanimously recommended Into Literature. Administrators said Into Literature preserves teachers’ ability to use novel studies, meets DESE’s high-quality curriculum standard, and carries an estimated three-year materials cost of $52,820; the administration also referenced potential PRISM-related support listed at $60,000 in the meeting materials.
The subcommittee also reviewed a proposal to adopt Character Strong as the district’s social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. Administrators described Character Strong as CASEL-approved, aligned to social-emotional competencies, usable from pre-K through grade 12, and as offering tiered resources for intensified supports. The one-year cost presented was $7,500, and the administration said the district intends to use a SEL grant to fund initial implementation if available.
On science, the administration recommended Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Launch for K–5 and proposed continuing PLTW for 7th–8th grade electives and the district’s engineering pathway. The presentation noted that teachers will need PLTW training to implement the program and that the district would discontinue OpenSci-Ed in K–5 if PLTW is adopted.
Administrators also proposed several math and scheduling adjustments to support instruction: continue using Reveal Math, discontinue ST Math in grade 6 while retaining ST Math in K–5, and schedule ST Math during STEM blocks instead of during specials. They outlined classroom structure adjustments to match these changes — K–4 self-contained classrooms, Grade 5 rotating assignments (one teacher for ELA; one for math; one for science and social studies combined), and maintaining departmentalized instruction in grade 6.
The administration emphasized that these recommendations remain subject to formal action by the full School Committee and to outside funding decisions tied to PRISM grants and other possible sources. Next steps recorded in the minutes direct administrators to prepare materials for a full-committee vote and to plan professional learning and implementation timelines if the full committee approves any adoptions.
The subcommittee did not take a final vote at the May 26 meeting; the materials presented to the subcommittee will accompany the recommendations to the full School Committee for formal consideration.
