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Committee recommends CKLA discussion go to full board as Towanda weighs 3–6 reading curriculum
Summary
The Policy & Curriculum Committee reviewed first-year K–2 CKLA data and elementary pilots, heard praise for vocabulary gains and questions about skills pacing, and recommended the CKLA adoption be presented to the full school board ahead of the Act 47 (2025) deadline.
The Towanda Area School District Policy & Curriculum Committee on April 20 heard a staff presentation on the CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) reading curriculum as the district considers extending the program to grades 3–6.
Dr. Joel Spinney, principal of academic affairs, presented K–2 results from the first full year at J. Andrew Morrow Primary School and pilot data from the Elementary School, comparing CKLA outcomes with prior AIMS Web baselines. Handouts with average and median scores were distributed; Spinney said the district's goal for the first year is to learn with fidelity and use findings to guide changes in year two. The committee was told that every 5th grade class at the elementary level is piloting CKLA.
Elementary Principal Laura Steele highlighted vocabulary gains, saying the curriculum helps students learn and correctly use more advanced words. Superintendent Erick Cummings noted that "CKLA is being very well received by many schools in our area and surrounding areas," and Dr. Dawn Hart said CKLA has been featured at PaTTAN and typically requires several years to show full benefits.
Committee members pressed for more detail about measurement and skills. Natalie Wheaton asked specifically how the skills portion is evaluated; Spinney described the phonics and writing components included in the program and said the first full year of implementation will guide what supports and adjustments are needed. Parent and committee member Brady Finogle said the "knowledge" component appears to be working for his child but relayed concerns that CKLA's skills pacing may be inconsistent and that some teachers need more time to get through lessons.
The committee did not vote to adopt CKLA at this meeting. Members noted that J. Andrew Morrow Primary School has already committed to CKLA for another five years and recommended presenting the broader adoption question (grades 3–6) to the full school board. Superintendent Cummings offered to provide additional information if the board wishes to table the voting item. The committee recorded that the district must assign a structured reading curriculum by the 2027/28 school year under Act 47 of 2025.
