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Bedford district recommends CKLA for K–5 literacy after six-program review; implementation plan includes Hill for Literacy support
Summary
After a multi-month review of six K–5 literacy programs, the district's DLLT recommended Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) based on phonics and writing, proposed summer and in-year implementation with Hill for Literacy coaching, and said preliminary costs fit within the FY25 budget; committee members requested final cost numbers and supply timing.
The Bedford district presented the results of a K–5 literacy-program review on May 28 and recommended Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) for adoption, describing an implementation plan supported by Hill for Literacy.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tricia Clifford summarized the process: a district leadership and learning team (DLLT) of roughly 30 members reviewed six evidence-based programs, reduced them to three, conducted publisher and user panels, and used Hill for Literacy's review tool to assess materials. The DLLT prioritized phonics and writing as the district's most important components and, based on rubric scores and teacher feedback, endorsed CKLA.
The administration outlined implementation steps: three summer planning days for a 22-member implementation team to "unpack the kit" with publisher support; ongoing monthly work groups during the school year; 10 Hill-for-Literacy sessions with administrators; classroom-level coaching and five in-class Hill visits per school; and grade-level rollouts timed to align with the opening of school. The team estimated the initial purchase and implementation costs would fit within the FY25 budget allocation previously set aside for implementation, though final purchase orders and exact totals were not released at the meeting.
Committee members asked about supply-chain timing and whether materials will be available before the start of school; administrators said publisher representatives expect timely delivery and that smaller grade-level kits are already being prepared for summer work. Members also asked how the change would affect students receiving pullout reading support; administrators said pullout services and OG support will continue and that the CKLA program was selected in part because it supports tiered instruction.
No adoption vote occurred at the meeting; administrators said final handbook and budget items will return for committee review and that implementation will begin with summer work and Hill coaching.
