Looks like ELC is gone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Is this publicly available online or was it just sent to teachers? Are you allowed to share it publicly and if so could you paste the text and/or share the link to the model guidance? I wish they were more communicative with parents about this stuff!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Is this publicly available online or was it just sent to teachers? Are you allowed to share it publicly and if so could you paste the text and/or share the link to the model guidance? I wish they were more communicative with parents about this stuff!

I googled and couldn’t find this. Can you please share? I can tell you there has been absolutely zero interest in feedback from families at our school. Also no information for families to provide feedback on. Are other schools actually discussing this with their families?

[Anonymous]

Bumping this thread. Please share what you are hearing from your school. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

PTA meeting tonight and I plan to ask when/how they will get family feedback about the 2 ELA modeled for next year’s 5th grade (because my kid is in 4th). I expect a vague non-answer, but at least it will put a bug in other parent’s ears a out what is coming

[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.

These options need more detail. For example keeping ELC for 5th graders current getting full ELC for 4th should be a requirement. Changing would be ridiculous unless it’s currently not rigorous.

Second, what is the minimum that makes a cohort? Someone needs to define this.

Third, what does the implementation of ELC in the heterogeneous class look like in terms of curriculum use? Are we talking different work assignments and exams? Different books? Is this essentially just different groups like teachers are always done?

Fourth, what determines the 30min FIT/WIN enrichment. I could see this for kids who don’t actually need ELC full stop but might benefit from a little extra push at times and/or might enjoy it. That’s very different than kids that are already way above level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PTA meeting tonight and I plan to ask when/how they will get family feedback about the 2 ELA modeled for next year’s 5th grade (because my kid is in 4th). I expect a vague non-answer, but at least it will put a bug in other parent’s ears a out what is coming

How did it go at the PTA meeting? Did you Delegate share information about this from the MCCPTA curriculum committee and gifted Ed committee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTA meeting tonight and I plan to ask when/how they will get family feedback about the 2 ELA modeled for next year’s 5th grade (because my kid is in 4th). I expect a vague non-answer, but at least it will put a bug in other parent’s ears a out what is coming

How did it go at the PTA meeting? Did you Delegate share information about this from the MCCPTA curriculum committee and gifted Ed committee?

What is the MCCPTA curriculum committee and gifted committee doing on this? Sounds like you are looped in, can you share?

[Anonymous]

There was no room for questions about academic programs at the PTA meeting, unfortunately. It was also not well attended. I’ll send an email to the principals and reading specialist and hope for the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was no room for questions about academic programs at the PTA meeting, unfortunately. It was also not well attended. I’ll send an email to the principals and reading specialist and hope for the best.

Recommend calling AEI for more information. Below is contact info from the website:

Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. Please share what you are hearing from your school. Thank you!

Our school is doing a separate cohorted class. They said they will do one extra CKLA unit that the regular classes won't do, plus some extra projects and "literature circles.". Does anyone know what literature circles are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. Please share what you are hearing from your school. Thank you!

Our school is doing a separate cohorted class. They said they will do one extra CKLA unit that the regular classes won't do, plus some extra projects and "literature circles.". Does anyone know what literature circles are?

They're basically small groups dedicated to a specific book! They read a book, usually have jobs and then come together as a group after some time to discuss their assigned reading and their jobs!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of course, can't have smart kids who don't luck into the watered down lottery getting ahead of anyone else!

Exactly! Honors for all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. Please share what you are hearing from your school. Thank you!

Our school is doing a separate cohorted class. They said they will do one extra CKLA unit that the regular classes won't do, plus some extra projects and "literature circles.". Does anyone know what literature circles are?

They're basically small groups dedicated to a specific book! They read a book, usually have jobs and then come together as a group after some time to discuss their assigned reading and their jobs!

It sounds like our school will be doing the same for 5th grade next year (4th grade currently has a cohort in ELC, which will be kept together). A big relief because apparently reading actual books is not part of the regular CKLA curriculum somehow? Unbelievable.

The incoming 4th grade will not be cohorted, and will receive enrichment…somehow. Sounds like an absolute cluster. I feel bad for the teachers who are absolutely being set up to fail; every parent is going to hate this as a huge step down from the current program and it’s a very vocal parent group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this thread. Please share what you are hearing from your school. Thank you!

Our school is doing a separate cohorted class. They said they will do one extra CKLA unit that the regular classes won't do, plus some extra projects and "literature circles.". Does anyone know what literature circles are?

They're basically small groups dedicated to a specific book! They read a book, usually have jobs and then come together as a group after some time to discuss their assigned reading and their jobs!

It sounds like our school will be doing the same for 5th grade next year (4th grade currently has a cohort in ELC, which will be kept together). A big relief because apparently reading actual books is not part of the regular CKLA curriculum somehow? Unbelievable.

The incoming 4th grade will not be cohorted, and will receive enrichment…somehow. Sounds like an absolute cluster. I feel bad for the teachers who are absolutely being set up to fail; every parent is going to hate this as a huge step down from the current program and it’s a very vocal parent group.

Wait I thought CKLA had actual books? Whether separate physical books or online. Like Wind in the Willows and Don Quixote??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PTA meeting tonight and I plan to ask when/how they will get family feedback about the 2 ELA modeled for next year’s 5th grade (because my kid is in 4th). I expect a vague non-answer, but at least it will put a bug in other parent’s ears a out what is coming

How did it go at the PTA meeting? Did you Delegate share information about this from the MCCPTA curriculum committee and gifted Ed committee?

What is the MCCPTA curriculum committee and gifted committee doing on this? Sounds like you are looped in, can you share?

They are the ones that fought to get ELC in all schools, and usually are on in the loop on where things like this stand. Ask you PTA Delegate or President.