APS ELA Curriculum

[Anonymous]

While APS is making great strides to improve phonics instruction, I was wondering if there has been any attempt to review the ELA curriculum and adopt a curriculum that is more knowledge based. A knowledge based curriculum is critical in improving reading comprehension (see this article for example: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/ ) . I just learned that Fairfax County is reviewing their ELA curriculum and adopt a knowledge based curriculum (see here: https://www.fcps.edu/node/36853?fbclid=IwAR2W9JhbD66DehORm-jRByy9JmIWL9RnuVKXa__AhRHOGpzBSd7eYXi5tSQ ) . I would love to see something similar happening in Arlington County. To those familiar with this issue, what have the obstacles been and how can we push for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While APS is making great strides to improve phonics instruction, I was wondering if there has been any attempt to review the ELA curriculum and adopt a curriculum that is more knowledge based. A knowledge based curriculum is critical in improving reading comprehension (see this article for example: https://theamericanscholar.org/why-so-many-kids-struggle-to-learn/ ) . I just learned that Fairfax County is reviewing their ELA curriculum and adopt a knowledge based curriculum (see here: https://www.fcps.edu/node/36853?fbclid=IwAR2W9JhbD66DehORm-jRByy9JmIWL9RnuVKXa__AhRHOGpzBSd7eYXi5tSQ ) . I would love to see something similar happening in Arlington County. To those familiar with this issue, what have the obstacles been and how can we push for this?

Agreed. Not directly teaching the kids through their reading is merely making them teach themselves. And they can go in fruitless and meaningless directions relevant to the book they're reading, (thinking of the Great Gatsby example in the article you linked). Waste of everyone's time and not getting the students to learn what they're supposed to learn about the material they were assigned. I think it's good to encourage students to research things and try to find out things on their own; but especially in literature, that's not the best way to teach or learn. Without context or personal experience or knowledge, how can one be expected to pull the right symbolic meaning out of the air?

[Anonymous]

APS is working to adopt evidence based ELA and math curriculum. It’s one of Duran’s focuses. I don’t know the timeline but I think/hope it will be ready and teachers will be trained for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS is working to adopt evidence based ELA and math curriculum. It’s one of Duran’s focuses. I don’t know the timeline but I think/hope it will be ready and teachers will be trained for next year.

OP here. Thank you for your response. I took a look at the suggestions in the PowerPoint presentation by the Advisory Council on Teaching & Learning. I saw a lot of focus on improving phonics instruction. But none of the slides address adopting a knowledge based curriculum. Is there something I am missing?

[Anonymous]

OP again. These are the slides I am talking about:

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ACTL-ELA-Update-11_3_21.pdf

I see a lot regarding structural literally but nothing re adopting a knowledge based curriculum e.g. amplify, wit & wisdom etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. These are the slides I am talking about:

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ACTL-ELA-Update-11_3_21.pdf

I see a lot regarding structural literally but nothing re adopting a knowledge based curriculum e.g. amplify, wit & wisdom etc.

And my apologies I thought this was by the Advisory Council on Teaching and Learning but its actually by the ELA office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. These are the slides I am talking about:

https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ACTL-ELA-Update-11_3_21.pdf

I see a lot regarding structural literally but nothing re adopting a knowledge based curriculum e.g. amplify, wit & wisdom etc.

Meant to say structured literacy.

[Anonymous]

I’m interested in this too.