Msg from Vail re: Pilot Program
February 10, 2023
Dear District 67 Families,
As I mentioned in this week’s 411 on 67, we have opportunities in the District to focus on the Common Core State Standards and determine best practices for instruction. Based on the 2022 Illinois State Report card and student performance data, it is a priority for us to review our curriculum and resources. Our goal is to improve student outcomes in reading, writing, and foundational skills.
Our Review Process
We are about 18 months into our reading review process. To date, we have:
Immersed ourselves in existing research about the science of reading
Examined our core literacy beliefs
Engaged in learning more about the Common Core State Standards, assessments, and research-based instructional practices
The next step in our review process is to conduct a pilot program for reading and writing instruction with three new research-backed resources to determine which one most aligns with all of these elements. For reference, the term resources is interchangeable with the word curriculum.
What Does the Pilot Program Entail?
The pilot program consists of the deployment of a new reading and writing resource in all of our K-4 and 5-8 ELA classrooms. All three resources have been developed with reading and writing integrated together, and are all aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Each teacher will pilot one resource in their classroom and follow the guidelines from the publisher. These are the three resources being piloted:
K-5 Option 1: Wit & Wisdom Option 2: Wonders Option 3: Amplify CKLA
6-8 Option 1: Wit & Wisdom Option 2: StudySync Option 3: Amplify ELA
We have worked diligently to plan the pilot. Teachers have had multiple training sessions to ensure that students will still receive instruction aligned to match the current Units of Study curriculum (Lucy Calkins).
When Will the Pilot Program Take Place?
The pilot will begin on February 21, 2023 and end on March 24, 2023.
Will All Students in District 67 Participate?
Yes. All K-4 classroom teachers at Cherokee, Everett, and Sheridan, and 5-8 ELA teachers at DPM will test one of the three new resources in their classrooms. It is important to note that the resources will not be distributed universally throughout the District. Students across various grades and buildings may be receiving instruction based on a different resource during these weeks.
Gathering Feedback
With a focus on student growth and achievement, the goal of piloting these new resources is to observe student responses and gain feedback and insight from staff. This will allow us to thoughtfully consider each resource and put a thorough plan into place for full implementation in the 2023-2024 school year. Depending on the outcome of the pilot program, this new resource could potentially replace the Units of Study (Lucy Calkins) curriculum.
Staff will provide feedback on levels of student engagement, opportunities for assessment, and access to complex texts, among other items. Additionally, we will include “student voice” through a survey administered during the last week of the pilot. I will also conduct site visits at districts currently implementing these three resources, interview their stakeholders, and discuss financial impact and support capacity with the resource publishers.
What Happens Once the Pilot Ends?
After Spring Break, and with all of the information and data available to us, Dr. Montgomery and I will make a recommendation on a resource to the District 67 Board of Education at the April 25 regular District 67 Board meeting. Many factors will contribute to the final decision.
How Can I Support My Student During the Pilot Program?
You may not even know the pilot is occurring because it will not necessarily change routines at home. However, feel free to talk to your students about the pilot and see what they are learning!
Final Thoughts
This is a big decision for our District, our students, and our staff, and we will be as thorough as possible as we evaluate these resources. I am grateful to our teachers for their commitment to making instructional shifts this school year to help support student learning, simultaneously participating in the extensive process of our reading review, and now launching our pilot. I remain impressed by their professionalism, collaborative spirit, and ability to consistently put student needs first!
As we approach mid-February, it is a busy time of year with report cards, conferences, and the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) taking place after spring break. We are eager to begin this pilot as we work to improve student outcomes across our District. I will continue to provide updates to our families during this process. Please let me know if you have questions.
Thank you for your continued partnership!
Sincerely,
Vail Kieser
Director of Teaching & Learning
Lake Forest School District 67
300 S.Waukegan Rd.
Lake Forest, IL 60045
O: 847-604-7408