In a recent government meeting, significant updates were shared regarding the curriculum development for career and technical education (CTE) and K-3 literacy programs. Greg Darren, the department coordinator for grades 6 through 12 CTE, highlighted the completion of course descriptions for 25 out of 26 high school courses and four middle school courses in preparation for the EduPlanet live rollout. He announced proposals for three new courses: an Advanced Placement (AP) Business Principles course, an AI with Python course, and a cybersecurity course, with the latter confirmed to move forward.

Darren emphasized the importance of aligning curricula both horizontally and vertically across grades 6 to 12, aiming to create clear pathways in computer science and technology education. He noted a growing interest in CTE courses, particularly in computer science, which has seen an enrollment increase of 40 to 50 students this year, partly due to a new state requirement for personal finance education.

The meeting also addressed the K-3 literacy update, focusing on the pilot program for the \"Into Reading\" curriculum, which is currently being implemented in grades 1 to 3 across five schools. The pilot aims to enhance vocabulary and grammar instruction, with professional learning sessions for teachers already underway. Feedback mechanisms have been established to ensure continuous improvement and adaptation of the curriculum based on teacher experiences.

Overall, the discussions underscored a commitment to enhancing educational offerings in both career and technical education and early literacy, reflecting a broader trend towards prioritizing practical skills and foundational literacy in the curriculum.