APS to take a breather on new initiatives for next year

[Anonymous]

Does this mean we’re stuck with balanced literacy for the time being?

https://www.gazetteleader.com/arlington/news/aps-to-take-a-breather-on-new-initiatives-for-coming-year-7235654?fbclid=IwAR2c6Fe4JaqumCAb2UFmhyF2vXo5gfC9yPF_wVxsem4ETuh0m7jdrnsvU5E_aem_AWq0SHr6Isku8VBz5Dp7ogvGZnioXFDY1rnbqGACC0TonxOjDJw8_V08w2sF-6XVhQE

[Anonymous]

no

[Anonymous]

Escuela Key is still using Lucy Caulkin's writers workshop. They absolutely need to switch to Core Knowledge. It's wrong that APS is letting the school continue to use a disproven curriculum that's been shown to harm students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Escuela Key is still using Lucy Caulkin's writers workshop. They absolutely need to switch to Core Knowledge. It's wrong that APS is letting the school continue to use a disproven curriculum that's been shown to harm students.

What?!

[Anonymous]

I guess that’s my question: If the only exemption is literacy programming for secondary students, doesn’t that show how dire the situation is to change to something new for elementary LA?

Teaching phonics and background info isn’t a fad; it’s what makes sense.

I don’t want to burden teachers with more than they already take on. At the same time, we can’t keep failing these kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Escuela Key is still using Lucy Caulkin's writers workshop. They absolutely need to switch to Core Knowledge. It's wrong that APS is letting the school continue to use a disproven curriculum that's been shown to harm students.

What is wrong with Writers Workshop?
I thought the issue was with the reading approach?

[Anonymous]

Except for the calendar initiative. I vote no to one less week of summer and a paid two week winter break for central office staff. Push back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Except for the calendar initiative. I vote no to one less week of summer and a paid two week winter break for central office staff. Push back!

Are they voting on calendar stuff next month?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess that’s my question: If the only exemption is literacy programming for secondary students, doesn’t that show how dire the situation is to change to something new for elementary LA?

Teaching phonics and background info isn’t a fad; it’s what makes sense.

I don’t want to burden teachers with more than they already take on. At the same time, we can’t keep failing these kids.

They already changed the elem ELA curriculum

[Anonymous]

People have complained that not all teachers are using it though…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People have complained that not all teachers are using it though…

That doesn’t make it a new initiative. Just means some principals need to make sure their teachers are with the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Escuela Key is still using Lucy Caulkin's writers workshop. They absolutely need to switch to Core Knowledge. It's wrong that APS is letting the school continue to use a disproven curriculum that's been shown to harm students.

What is wrong with Writers Workshop?
I thought the issue was with the reading approach?

It's based on the same flawed premise as the reading curriculum: if you just leave kids alone, give them time, and think happy thoughts, they'll learn to read and write all on their own.

The curriculum doesn't actually teach writing. It tells teachers to give kids pencils and ask them to write. There's no instruction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess that’s my question: If the only exemption is literacy programming for secondary students, doesn’t that show how dire the situation is to change to something new for elementary LA?

Teaching phonics and background info isn’t a fad; it’s what makes sense.

I don’t want to burden teachers with more than they already take on. At the same time, we can’t keep failing these kids.

They already changed the elem ELA curriculum

Only some schools have adopted the new curriculum. APS hasn't required schools to switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People have complained that not all teachers are using it though…

That doesn’t make it a new initiative. Just means some principals need to make sure their teachers are with the program.

Some principals aren't on board--they are still attracted to the glossy marketing of LC. Others think teachers should get to pick their own curriculum.

APS needs to stop the nonsense and restrict disproven methods.

[Anonymous]

"APS to take a breather on new initiatives for next year"

Someone needs to tell Planning re: school moves. We're all tired.