PHILADELPHIA UNVEILS A REVIVED LITERACY CURRICULUM FOR GRADES K-8
Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, Philadelphia’s public school students will embark on a new journey through a refreshed literacy curriculum named Expeditionary Learning.
This initiative is rooted in the science of reading, a framework founded on evidence-based strategies essential for developing strong reading skills.
Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, a clinical professor in literacy studies at Drexel University and a former elementary educator, recently shared her thoughts on the enhancements and potential pitfalls of the city’s new approach during an interview with The Conversation U.S.
WHAT MAKES THIS CURRICULUM DIFFERENT?
Previously, the Philadelphia School District relied on a locally crafted curriculum designed by teachers that highlighted state standards for reading, writing, and communication.
Now, the district believes that the newly structured curriculum will align more closely with the science of reading principles, leading to a consistent instructional experience across different classrooms and schools.
The Expeditionary Learning curriculum focuses on two key elements: “word knowledge” and “world knowledge.”
“Word knowledge” emphasizes a systematic phonics approach, teaching students the correspondence between letters and sounds.
This method encourages learners to begin with individual sounds, allowing them to blend them into words, which is a more structured process compared to the analytic phonics approach that breaks words down into parts.
On the other hand, “world knowledge” accentuates the significance of background understanding, cultivated through nonfiction texts that often appear in science and social studies classes.
It covers relevant and contemporary themes, including social justice and environmental matters.
Lessons are organized in a clear sequence, a departure from the previous system that outlined standards without accompanying structured lesson plans.
There are also scripts included for interactions between teachers and students, along with additional resources aimed at English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and those who excel in particular areas.
Each curriculum module is designed to last about six weeks, concentrating on specific literacy skills.
Instruction occurs in themed sessions lasting one hour each day.
For students in grades K-2, an additional hour is dedicated to phonics, while students in higher grades spend more time revisiting essential reading and writing skills, including fluency, grammar, and vocabulary.
CAN THIS CURRICULUM IMPROVE STUDENT READING SKILLS?
Evaluating the curriculum’s success will likely take several years, as research indicates that the results of educational programs on student performance may not be immediately visible.
Many students in Philadelphia currently struggle to reach grade-level standards on state literacy assessments, though the district has made progress in addressing learning deficits exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, a significant number of students still require substantial growth in their reading and writing capabilities.
WHAT CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD?
While many educators in Philadelphia remain hopeful about the Expeditionary Learning curriculum and its adherence to research-backed reading strategies, they also recognize the steep learning curve and the extensive preparation needed for effective implementation.
Educators will have to familiarize themselves with new texts and instructional strategies central to the curriculum while determining which activities best serve their students’ needs.
This adjustment period could lead to challenges with pacing if teachers struggle to keep up with the proposed lesson timelines.
Despite the inclusion of engaging, hands-on activities, gathering materials can be a daunting task, especially in the curriculum’s inaugural year.
Teachers might find themselves sourcing new supplies or repurposing items from home.
However, as they accumulate resources over time, the burden of lesson planning is likely to ease.
Additionally, some students may face difficulties in building the focus and stamina required to stay engaged during prolonged instructional periods.
In the summer of 2024, teachers had the chance to join optional, paid professional development workshops centered on Expeditionary Learning.
Continuous support from colleagues and seasoned curriculum users is vital for efficiently integrating this program.
The district plans to offer group training sessions during staff development days throughout the school year, supplemented by coaching from Expeditionary Learning representatives.
Learning builds on previous knowledge, and research highlights that background understanding significantly boosts the retention of new information.
Historically, social studies and science classes have played crucial roles in establishing this foundational knowledge.
However, following the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, emphasis shifted toward reading and math, which curtailed the depth of world knowledge typically gained through comprehensive lessons in these subjects.
Source: The74million