MSAD 52 adopts new ELA and science standards after debate over handwriting and instruction

The MSAD 52 Board approved updated kindergarten-through-12th-grade English language arts standards and a set of science standards after more than a year of committee work and multiple full-committee work days.

Assistant Superintendent Gillis presented the committees’ work: vertical alignment for ELA to reduce gaps and redundancies, teacher-developed writing supports, and a restructured science sequence in which sixth grade will focus on earth and space science, middle school on life and physical sciences, and high school will continue the sequence. Committee members said their work included surveys of existing elementary science time and materials, targeted teacher workdays with high-school and middle-school teachers, and attention to alignment with the Maine Learning Results (MELS).

Why it mattered: The curriculum revisions are intended to create clearer, district-wide expectations and give teachers shared units and assessment targets to reduce variability in instruction across buildings.

Handwriting debate: Board discussion focused heavily on handwriting and penmanship. One board member moved to send the ELA standards back to committee to add explicit handwriting/penmanship expectations (the motion argued handwriting strengthens fine-motor skills, note-taking retention, and neatness valued by employers). Administrators and other board members responded that state main learning results (MLR/MELS) do not require cursive and that handwriting is already addressed through early-grade instruction and existing standards, and that local standards should not conflict with state frameworks. After extended debate the board first considered an amendment requesting additional committee work and then returned to the original motion; ultimately the ELA standards passed with some abstentions.

Science approval: The board also approved the new science standards after committee presentations explaining the rationale for the 6–8 rotation and related teacher supports; the chair announced the science vote was unanimous.

Quotes:
"This is something I'm really proud of in this second year of our focus on curriculum work," Assistant Superintendent Gillis said, summarizing teacher committee efforts.
"I want some hard data that really assesses how effective instructional coaches are," a board member said in the standards discussion, tying instructional staffing and coaching to observed classroom outcomes and budget pressures.

Ending: The standards move forward for teacher implementation; administrators said they will support teachers with materials, professional development and report-card alignment in fall to ensure the new essential standards are implemented consistently across the district.