Board approves K-2 writing program, DIBELS screening, dual-enrollment expansion and selected textbooks
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Summary
The board approved purchases and adoptions aimed at literacy and college readiness: a 4-year K–2 writing workshop at $11,191.24, a transition to DIBELS for K–6 at $1,533 annually, renewed dual-enrollment agreements (Harrisburg University) and new novel and AP textbook adoptions.
The Southern York County School District board on May 15 approved multiple instructional purchases and curriculum adoptions aimed at early literacy and college readiness.
Among instructional materials approved was the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Writing Workshop program for grades K–2, a four-year purchase at a total cost of $11,191.24. District staff said the program fills identified gaps in primary-grade writing instruction and emphasizes handwriting and sentence structure rather than Chromebook-based activities. "This program will help them to continue the the actual graphic writing, but also being able to put it into sentence format," a staff presenter said.
The board also approved switching the district—s K–6 universal literacy screener from Acadience to DIBELS 8. The district cited pilot work showing DIBELS provides more accurate early reading measures; the annual cost was presented as $1,533. District staff said transition protocols are in place to account for comparability between measures when students move between grades.
Separately, the board approved a five-year dual-enrollment agreement with Harrisburg University allowing high-school students to take concurrent college courses through April 30, 2030 at no cost to the district. Administrators described dual enrollment as a pathway for students to begin postsecondary coursework focused on career interests.
The board also approved several curriculum-text adoptions: the novel Searching for Super by Mary Jensen for classroom use and Myers' Psychology (AP edition) as the AP Psychology text. Board members noted the AP Psychology book covers standard topics including abnormal psychology and counseling; administrators said parents may wish to review materials for the course.
Ending: District staff said teachers vetted the programs and texts; the purchases are intended to align K—2 curriculum through later grades and to provide college-credit opportunities for high-school students.