Looks like ELC is gone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Oh thank you. That makes me really really annoyed that they are making this choice. Do principals have descretion to decide how it is implemented as well (e.g. an actual accelerated cohort vs the little bits of enrichment a PP was describing?)

Teachers are typically nervous to implement cohorts since it was a big thing that cohorts were not appropriate for those who were lower-achieving (while in reality, gives them the necessary resources and extra scaffolding they need without feeling ashamed). Principals do have the final say unless it's an explicit direction from central office... which there seems to be none lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Oh thank you. That makes me really really annoyed that they are making this choice. Do principals have descretion to decide how it is implemented as well (e.g. an actual accelerated cohort vs the little bits of enrichment a PP was describing?)

Teachers are typically nervous to implement cohorts since it was a big thing that cohorts were not appropriate for those who were lower-achieving (while in reality, gives them the necessary resources and extra scaffolding they need without feeling ashamed). Principals do have the final say unless it's an explicit direction from central office... which there seems to be none lol

Bogus excuse. They cohort entire classes in CES. MCPS promises families that the kids who didn’t get a lottery spot will get the same opportunities in their homeschool. This can’t happen if they aren’t cohorted at least some of the time. They cohort kids in compacted math.

Ironically, at VMES they did fluidly cohort kids in second grade reading by splitting them among all of the HR teachers and the reading specialist. For whatever reason this isn’t done in the older grades.

[Anonymous]

Regardless of what the teachers want or what research says, it should be the same at every school. Either we cohort at every school or not at all. Enrichment and remediation should also be the same at every school.

[Anonymous]

I agree. It's very frustrating. Not to mention, every school has different after school activities and some have almost none depending on the PTA or lack of. If they are going to make things equitable they need to have equal implementation across the board.

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of what the teachers want or what research says, it should be the same at every school. Either we cohort at every school or not at all. Enrichment and remediation should also be the same at every school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Thanks so much for sharing. Would you mind copy/pasting the rest of the email?

[Anonymous]

Do they at least have ELC for all now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 4th grader at a school that doesn’t cohort ELC kids and it’s a nightmare. Kids get 30 minutes of “flexible intervention time” once a week and it’s unclear what the ELC kids do.

Why doesn’t my kid get a cohort for ELA like she does for compacted math? Several other elementary schools cohort the ELC kids daily and they are reading actual books! How is this considered equitable? My kid just gets to read the dry nonfiction worksheets for CKLA.

I’m looking for documentation about next year so I can advocate for my child’s school to do the same as every other (which I pray is daily cohorting!)

You need to become more familiar with Core Knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Thanks so much for sharing. Would you mind copy/pasting the rest of the email?

Here you go!
"Below is an update to my previous Canvas announcement regarding ELC and next school year.

Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials. Please note the following important updates:

ELC5 may continue at schools where it has already been implemented and only with teachers who have previously taught the course.
No new ELC materials will be ordered or provided by AEI.
There will be no ELC professional learning offered for the 2025–2026 school year.
Only teachers who have already taught ELC should continue to deliver the curriculum.
ELC 4 will not be implemented during the 2025-2026 school year.
The 2025-2026 school year will be the last implementation of ELC5.
Edits to the previous Canvas announcement from April 11, 2025 can be found below.

As we transition into the 2025-2026 school year, schools will either select one of two literacy enrichment models within the literacy block, which will be supported by the Office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) in collaboration with Elementary English Language Arts (ELA), or continue with ELC5 implementation. This will be a school based administrative decision

The options within the literacy block will be:

CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (Grades 4 and 5) - This model will replace the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC) course and will be renamed Enriched Literacy.
CKLA with Enrichment (Grades 4 and 5) - This model is for use in a heterogeneous classroom during the literacy block.
Additional enrichment outside of the literacy block will be:
CKLA Enrichment During Focused Instructional Time (Grades 3 through 5) - Identified students will be regrouped for enrichment opportunities within this 30-minute block.

More details about these options will be shared with schools by the end of April."

I will say I have not received any details mentioned about these options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Thanks so much for sharing. Would you mind copy/pasting the rest of the email?

Here you go!
"Below is an update to my previous Canvas announcement regarding ELC and next school year.

Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials. Please note the following important updates:

ELC5 may continue at schools where it has already been implemented and only with teachers who have previously taught the course.
No new ELC materials will be ordered or provided by AEI.
There will be no ELC professional learning offered for the 2025–2026 school year.
Only teachers who have already taught ELC should continue to deliver the curriculum.
ELC 4 will not be implemented during the 2025-2026 school year.
The 2025-2026 school year will be the last implementation of ELC5.
Edits to the previous Canvas announcement from April 11, 2025 can be found below.

As we transition into the 2025-2026 school year, schools will either select one of two literacy enrichment models within the literacy block, which will be supported by the Office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) in collaboration with Elementary English Language Arts (ELA), or continue with ELC5 implementation. This will be a school based administrative decision

The options within the literacy block will be:

CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (Grades 4 and 5) - This model will replace the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC) course and will be renamed Enriched Literacy.
CKLA with Enrichment (Grades 4 and 5) - This model is for use in a heterogeneous classroom during the literacy block.
Additional enrichment outside of the literacy block will be:
CKLA Enrichment During Focused Instructional Time (Grades 3 through 5) - Identified students will be regrouped for enrichment opportunities within this 30-minute block.

More details about these options will be shared with schools by the end of April."

I will say I have not received any details mentioned about these options.

That is horrible. Kids either get actual instruction or 30 accelerated minutes a week. How can anyone possibly argue those are equivalent? I am so angry. Even if our school ends up doing the better model I am angry on behalf of all the students who will will have dramatically worse learning opportunities next year as a result.

People please contact your principals and MCPS. This is not ok. There is already so little for advanced students it’s unbelievable they are taking away the little bit that is currently offered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Thanks so much for sharing. Would you mind copy/pasting the rest of the email?

Here you go!
"Below is an update to my previous Canvas announcement regarding ELC and next school year.

Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials. Please note the following important updates:

ELC5 may continue at schools where it has already been implemented and only with teachers who have previously taught the course.
No new ELC materials will be ordered or provided by AEI.
There will be no ELC professional learning offered for the 2025–2026 school year.
Only teachers who have already taught ELC should continue to deliver the curriculum.
ELC 4 will not be implemented during the 2025-2026 school year.
The 2025-2026 school year will be the last implementation of ELC5.
Edits to the previous Canvas announcement from April 11, 2025 can be found below.

As we transition into the 2025-2026 school year, schools will either select one of two literacy enrichment models within the literacy block, which will be supported by the Office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) in collaboration with Elementary English Language Arts (ELA), or continue with ELC5 implementation. This will be a school based administrative decision

The options within the literacy block will be:

CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (Grades 4 and 5) - This model will replace the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC) course and will be renamed Enriched Literacy.
CKLA with Enrichment (Grades 4 and 5) - This model is for use in a heterogeneous classroom during the literacy block.
Additional enrichment outside of the literacy block will be:
CKLA Enrichment During Focused Instructional Time (Grades 3 through 5) - Identified students will be regrouped for enrichment opportunities within this 30-minute block.

More details about these options will be shared with schools by the end of April."

I will say I have not received any details mentioned about these options.

That is horrible. Kids either get actual instruction or 30 accelerated minutes a week. How can anyone possibly argue those are equivalent? I am so angry. Even if our school ends up doing the better model I am angry on behalf of all the students who will will have dramatically worse learning opportunities next year as a result.

People please contact your principals and MCPS. This is not ok. There is already so little for advanced students it’s unbelievable they are taking away the little bit that is currently offered.

I'm a parent, not an educator. Why is CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (which they also want to rename as Enriched Literacy) not a good substitute for what ELC offered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Thanks so much for sharing. Would you mind copy/pasting the rest of the email?

Here you go!
"Below is an update to my previous Canvas announcement regarding ELC and next school year.

Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials. Please note the following important updates:

ELC5 may continue at schools where it has already been implemented and only with teachers who have previously taught the course.
No new ELC materials will be ordered or provided by AEI.
There will be no ELC professional learning offered for the 2025–2026 school year.
Only teachers who have already taught ELC should continue to deliver the curriculum.
ELC 4 will not be implemented during the 2025-2026 school year.
The 2025-2026 school year will be the last implementation of ELC5.
Edits to the previous Canvas announcement from April 11, 2025 can be found below.

As we transition into the 2025-2026 school year, schools will either select one of two literacy enrichment models within the literacy block, which will be supported by the Office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) in collaboration with Elementary English Language Arts (ELA), or continue with ELC5 implementation. This will be a school based administrative decision

The options within the literacy block will be:

CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (Grades 4 and 5) - This model will replace the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC) course and will be renamed Enriched Literacy.
CKLA with Enrichment (Grades 4 and 5) - This model is for use in a heterogeneous classroom during the literacy block.
Additional enrichment outside of the literacy block will be:
CKLA Enrichment During Focused Instructional Time (Grades 3 through 5) - Identified students will be regrouped for enrichment opportunities within this 30-minute block.

More details about these options will be shared with schools by the end of April."

I will say I have not received any details mentioned about these options.

That is horrible. Kids either get actual instruction or 30 accelerated minutes a week. How can anyone possibly argue those are equivalent? I am so angry. Even if our school ends up doing the better model I am angry on behalf of all the students who will will have dramatically worse learning opportunities next year as a result.

People please contact your principals and MCPS. This is not ok. There is already so little for advanced students it’s unbelievable they are taking away the little bit that is currently offered.

I'm a parent, not an educator. Why is CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (which they also want to rename as Enriched Literacy) not a good substitute for what ELC offered?

I have no idea if the CKLA curriculum with accelerated pacing is as good, we can’t possibly know since we have no information on it at all. I am specifically referring to the last model where advanced students are not cohorted but forced to sit through the regular curriculum and then get little bits of enrichment once or twice a week in a 30 minute block. If anyone actually thinks that is equivalent to actual advanced classes I don’t know what to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers just got an email saying this next year will be the last year to phase out ELC(aka if a 4th grade class is currently being given ELC curriculum, next year, they will be the last group to get it.). No future 4th graders will have ELC!

I don’t think this is right, or at least not what is happening everywhere. I have a current 4th grader in ELC and we were already told that it will not continue next year and they will switch to the new curriculum. No details on if they will even have an accelerated cohort. Parents are very upset.

PP here- it says that if schools choose to, then the current 4th graders will be the last to have ELC. I dont think forcing 4th graders who took ELC this year into taking CKLA next year is right by any means.

PP you are responding to and I’m not sure what you are saying. That our school is choosing this? It’s definitely happening per our principal.

Yes, that's what I'm saying. I'm a teacher in the county and got the email. What your principal does is up to their discretion. The email states "Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials.".

Thanks so much for sharing. Would you mind copy/pasting the rest of the email?

Here you go!
"Below is an update to my previous Canvas announcement regarding ELC and next school year.

Leadership has clarified that while the ELC course will no longer be newly implemented in schools, schools that would like to provide continuity for their grade 5 students (currently in ELC 4), may implement ELC5 during the 2025–2026 school year provided they have the necessary resources and materials. Please note the following important updates:

ELC5 may continue at schools where it has already been implemented and only with teachers who have previously taught the course.
No new ELC materials will be ordered or provided by AEI.
There will be no ELC professional learning offered for the 2025–2026 school year.
Only teachers who have already taught ELC should continue to deliver the curriculum.
ELC 4 will not be implemented during the 2025-2026 school year.
The 2025-2026 school year will be the last implementation of ELC5.
Edits to the previous Canvas announcement from April 11, 2025 can be found below.

As we transition into the 2025-2026 school year, schools will either select one of two literacy enrichment models within the literacy block, which will be supported by the Office of Accelerated and Enriched Instruction (AEI) in collaboration with Elementary English Language Arts (ELA), or continue with ELC5 implementation. This will be a school based administrative decision

The options within the literacy block will be:

CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (Grades 4 and 5) - This model will replace the Enriched Literacy Curriculum (ELC) course and will be renamed Enriched Literacy.
CKLA with Enrichment (Grades 4 and 5) - This model is for use in a heterogeneous classroom during the literacy block.
Additional enrichment outside of the literacy block will be:
CKLA Enrichment During Focused Instructional Time (Grades 3 through 5) - Identified students will be regrouped for enrichment opportunities within this 30-minute block.

More details about these options will be shared with schools by the end of April."

I will say I have not received any details mentioned about these options.

That is horrible. Kids either get actual instruction or 30 accelerated minutes a week. How can anyone possibly argue those are equivalent? I am so angry. Even if our school ends up doing the better model I am angry on behalf of all the students who will will have dramatically worse learning opportunities next year as a result.

People please contact your principals and MCPS. This is not ok. There is already so little for advanced students it’s unbelievable they are taking away the little bit that is currently offered.

I'm a parent, not an educator. Why is CKLA with Accelerated Pacing (which they also want to rename as Enriched Literacy) not a good substitute for what ELC offered?

I have no idea if the CKLA curriculum with accelerated pacing is as good, we can’t possibly know since we have no information on it at all. I am specifically referring to the last model where advanced students are not cohorted but forced to sit through the regular curriculum and then get little bits of enrichment once or twice a week in a 30 minute block. If anyone actually thinks that is equivalent to actual advanced classes I don’t know what to say.

It looks like non-cohorted kids also get "CKLA with Enrichment (Grades 4 and 5) - This model is for use in a heterogeneous classroom during the literacy block"... do we know what that means?

[Anonymous]

The directive also tells schools to:

“Involve the leadership team, teachers, and families in discussions about model selection. Share clear criteria and rationale for decisions made.”

Seems like no families have been asked about model selection. I plan to ask at the next PTA meeting but I’m not getting my hopes up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The directive also tells schools to:

“Involve the leadership team, teachers, and families in discussions about model selection. Share clear criteria and rationale for decisions made.”

Seems like no families have been asked about model selection. I plan to ask at the next PTA meeting but I’m not getting my hopes up

What's this a quote from? Can you link to or paste the whole thing? Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The directive also tells schools to:

“Involve the leadership team, teachers, and families in discussions about model selection. Share clear criteria and rationale for decisions made.”

Seems like no families have been asked about model selection. I plan to ask at the next PTA meeting but I’m not getting my hopes up

What's this a quote from? Can you link to or paste the whole thing? Thanks so much!

It’s from the memo with the subject “2025-2026 Elementary Literacy Enrichment in Grades 3-5”. It has a link to a “2025-2026 Elementary Literacy Enrichment Model Guidance” which is where the above quote came from. Nothing specific about how to get feedback from families. Can’t believe this hasn’t been presented at a BOE meeting yet.