Committee Selects Elementary Literacy Curricula to Pilot

On Thursday, Sept. 21, the material selection committee for elementary literacy selected two elementary reading & writing curricula for field testing. The two finalists are Benchmark Advance and Wit and Wisdom.  

Both Benchmark Advance and Wit and Wisdom are integrated reading and writing curricula. Both build students’ reading, writing and oral communication skills. They both reflect the science of reading research on foundational reading and knowledge-based competencies. Both incorporate vocabulary development, building background knowledge and grammar instruction. At the same time, each curriculum would continue our commitment to high expectations for reading and use of engaging fiction and non-fiction texts.  

Members of the adoption team, comprised of elementary teachers and specialists, are excited to move into the next phase of the adoption process. Next steps include the following: 

1. Field testing: This December through February, a selection of teachers and students throughout the district will try out each program and give feedback to the adoption team. 
2. Public engagement: We will offer multiple opportunities for families to preview the materials and provide input to the adoption team prior to a final decision. Opportunities will include: 
   • Our ELA Adoption webpage will be updated with information about the finalist materials. 
   • Public preview: Samples of the materials for both programs will be available to the public during field testing and selection; December through May. 
   • Public engagement events: in February and March, at the end of the field testing, we will host regional meetings for families to hear from field testers and preview materials. 
   • Input options: Families will be able to provide input to the selection team through an online form or by completing a feedback form at engagement events. 
3. Staff engagement. Our adoption team and school leaders will work with all elementary teachers who will be impacted by this decision. 

The final curriculum selection will take place this May. The new curriculum could be used as early as the fall of 2024. 

Learn more about each finalist curriculum below: 

Benchmark Advance  

Benchmark Advance is currently used around Washington state; Mercer Island School District is currently using it, and Bellevue School District teachers and students are currently field testing it. 

Publisher overview:  
Benchmark Advance is a content-based literacy program that is intentional, purposeful and integrated. It is designed to build knowledge through purposeful scope and sequence, explicit teacher modeling, guided practice with spiral review [of past learning], and embedded multisensory learning. Benchmark Advance is a curriculum focused on:  

• Building knowledge with texts, vocabulary and tasks. 
• Utilizing quality and complex texts that align to standards. 
• Supporting responsive teaching to reach each learner.  

Additional resources for Benchmark Advance: 

• Visit the publisher’s website. 
• Watch an introductory video. 

Wit and Wisdom 

Wit and Wisdom is also used in Washington state. The adoption team interviewed staff from Spokane Public Schools, as they recently began using this program. 

Publisher overview:  
Wit and Wisdom is a curriculum based on knowledge-building texts, which engage students in productive struggle and joyful learning. When students know more, they can read more complex texts, learn more vocabulary and write at higher levels. Students build knowledge through carefully curated core texts that:  

• Are rich with content that piques student curiosity.  
• Represent grade-level complexity. 
• Showcase diverse perspectives. 

Additional resources for Wit and Wisdom: 

• Visit the publisher’s website. 
• Watch an introductory video.