Upper Darby School District proposes pilot program for new elementary ELA resources

The Upper Darby School District's recent School Board Committee meeting highlighted significant advancements in elementary education, particularly in English Language Arts (ELA) and early literacy assessments. The board discussed a pilot program for new ELA curricular resources aimed at enhancing instructional quality for the 2025-2026 school year.

Kristen O'Neil, the district's supervisor of Virtual Learning Academy, presented the rationale behind piloting two selected curricular resources: Benchmark Advance and a combined model integrating Arts and Letters with Really Great Reading. The pilot will involve 31 classroom teachers from various grade levels and schools, ensuring diverse input on the materials' effectiveness. The pilot is set to run for one trimester, beginning at the start of the school year and concluding in November, allowing for a thorough evaluation before final adoption.

The pilot aims to assess whether these resources align with state standards and effectively meet the needs of all students, particularly those requiring additional support. Feedback from teachers will be crucial in determining the final recommendation to the school board in November.

In addition to the ELA pilot, the meeting introduced the MAP Reading Fluency assessment, a new tool designed to enhance early literacy development. This online adaptive assessment will allow teachers to evaluate multiple students simultaneously, providing insights into reading accuracy and fluency. The district aims to implement this assessment to better support students, especially those struggling with foundational reading skills.

The board emphasized the importance of professional development for teachers to effectively utilize these new resources and assessments. A structured training plan will be rolled out to ensure educators are well-prepared to implement the changes and support their students' learning journeys.

Overall, these initiatives reflect the Upper Darby School District's commitment to improving educational outcomes and addressing the diverse needs of its student population. The pilot programs and new assessment tools are steps toward fostering a more effective learning environment, ultimately benefiting the community's children.