Grandview Heights teachers pilot and back Benchmark Advance as new K'5 ELA curriculum

The Grandview Heights School District presented the results of a teacher-led pilot that recommended Benchmark Advance as the new kindergarten'through'fifth-grade English language arts curriculum.

District staff said state dyslexia requirements and the so-called "science of reading" prompted the review. Presenters described a pilot in which teachers tested two state-approved programs, Wit & Wisdom and Benchmark Advance; using rubric scoring, the pilot team "strongly agreed" Benchmark Advance offered the most comprehensive, vertically aligned K'5 program for phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and writing.

Elizabeth Page, a fourth-grade teacher on the pilot team, said teachers piloted each program for six to eight weeks and used a rubric-based review to compare materials. Staff highlighted Benchmark Advance's vertical alignment (the district emphasized consistent knowledge strands across grades) and its included intervention and ELL-aligned resources.

School leaders outlined a multi-part implementation plan: an extended late start day on April 7 to begin work with the curriculum, two full professional-development days May 28'29 for Stevenson and Larson teachers provided by the curriculum vendor, embedded coaching from the company paired with district instructional coaching, and ongoing late-start days next year for deeper work. At the end of the first year the district will solicit teacher feedback to identify needed supports and adjustments.

Board members asked about support for students who transfer into the district midyear and about alignment with sixth-grade instruction. Presenters said Benchmark Advance includes intervention components and most knowledge-building units align to Ohio standards; the district plans to review middle-grade alignment after a year of K'5 implementation and add supports where needed. Presenters repeatedly said teachers would follow the scope and sequence but also exercise professional judgment when students require different pacing or supplemental instruction.

The board did not take a formal vote on a purchase or final adoption of the curriculum during this meeting; the presentation described the recommendation and implementation timeline and the board discussed next steps.

What happens next: staff will implement the planned PD this spring, provide coaching during the first year, and report back with feedback and any requested adjustments after the initial implementation year.