Board hears ELA pilot results and a proposed Introduction to Philosophy course; administration recommends fifth-grade Amplify CKLA purchase

District curriculum staff presented updates on English language arts pilot programs and a proposed new high-school course. The presentation covered pilot results by grade band, teacher feedback on materials, licensing and workbook costs, and a recommended textbook purchase for a proposed Introduction to Philosophy course.

Why it matters: Instructional materials and course offerings shape classroom practice and budgets. Staff recommended Amplify CKLA (Core Knowledge Language Arts) for fifth grade, citing alignment with the state’s science-of-reading guidance and strong ratings on EdReports. The presentation also outlined that sixth-grade pilots of Amplify had successfully prepared students for online state assessments while preserving novel-study time, but seventh and eighth graders reported technical issues and lower student engagement with Amplify texts; CommonLit was piloted as an alternative for grades 7–8 with more positive engagement reports.

Details from the presentation: For fifth grade teachers, staff identified four main units piloted (personal narratives, ancient civilizations, poetry and oceans) and noted teachers believed the units raised rigor while allowing selection of novels better matched to student interests than some series texts. Sixth-grade teachers reported the program supported online-assessment navigation and that students used a mix of print novels and online tools. Seventh/eighth-grade teachers reported technology friction with Amplify and found CommonLit’s texts more engaging in some classrooms.

Costs and procurement: Doctor Woodard noted licensing models (1-, 3- and 5-year) and per-student workbook costs as finance considerations: fifth-grade workbooks and consumables were discussed, $4,475 cited as a cost figure for sixth-grade consumables, and a $19,610 figure was presented for combined seventh/eighth-grade licensing and materials under one scenario. On secondary courses, staff recommended an honors Introduction to Philosophy course and a class set of 35 copies of The Philosopher’s Way at an estimated total of $4,724.62 (including shipping). Ms. Lanoboli is identified as the planned teacher for the course.

Board discussion and follow-up: Board members asked about device time for students and how to balance online tools with print materials; staff emphasized a mix of screen and print, classroom novel studies and intervention blocks to support diverse learners. Staff said work-outside-contract-hour assignments and summer curriculum writing details will appear in the Friday update and as action items at the May 18 meeting.

Ending: The curriculum items (texts, licensing and the proposed course) were presented for board consideration; specific purchases and textbook approvals will return as action items for board approval at future meetings.