Foundational Literacy Skills Curriculum Committee

Purpose:

Participate in a PK-2 Foundational Skills program review and adoption process for grades PK-2 Foundational Skills materials.

Basis for Establishment:

Our current adopted foundational skills curriculum was published in 2003, is outdated, not aligned with current Washington State Standards, and not used by most teachers.
Research supports the need for systematic, explicit instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics for students to become proficient readers and writers.
In 2018-19, recommendations from elementary principals, the Understanding and Serving Students with Dyslexia Advisory Group and participants of the Foundational Literacy Skills AdHoc Committee all prioritized implementing a foundational skills curriculum.

Decision-Making Process:

Advisory group to the superintendent.
Recommend Foundational Literacy Skills materials for grades PK-2.

Plan of Work:

Establish representative committee
Establish stakeholder groups (teachers, principals, Department of Teaching and Learning, community members).
Establish criteria for materials selection
Review evidence-based curricula against criteria.
Review presentations from publishers for finalist curricula.
Gather input from stakeholders throughout the process.
Present final recommendation to the superintendent.

Members:

The committee will consist of 17-20 regular members. Committee members will be selected to include representation from K-2 teachers, literacy intervention teachers, and special education resource teachers room with representation from all 14 elementary schools.

Stephanie Korn, Director of Teaching and Learning, co-chair
Charisse Berner, Director of Teaching and Learning, co-chair
Sharece Steinkamp, Principal, Geneva
Pam Pottle, Principal, Northern Heights
Nina Ballew, Early Childhood Specialist
Megan Cooley, Kindergarten Teacher, Birchwood
Kyla Stefani, Kindergarten Teacher, Northern Heights
Karin Otterholt, Kindergarten Teacher, Roosevelt
Julie Johnson, 1^st Grade Teacher, Parkview
Sarah Rose, 1^st Grade Teacher, Alderwood
Julie Sargent O’Connell, 1^st Grade Teacher, Geneva
Jennifer Wilkinson, 2^nd Grade Teacher, Alderwood
Sarah Snyder, 2^nd Grade Teacher, Lowell
Quinn Reno, 2nd Grade Teacher, Cordata
Jodi Kinzel, Literacy Intervention Teacher, Carl Cozier
Analisa Ficklin, Special Education Administrator
Sara Buetow, Parent/ Community Member
Stephanie Strachan, Parent/Community Member, Wade King
Ex-officio member: Kristi Dominguez, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning

Responsibilities:

Attend committee meetings and report back to constituents as needed
Actively participate as a representative of your stakeholder group including sharing feedback and collecting information as needed.

Timeline:

Advertise group early January 2020, selection by Feb. 6, 2020.
March 2020 to May 2020 group meetings.

Meetings:

Six meetings from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., specific meeting topics may shift over the course of the meetings as a result of the process.
Meeting 1 – March 3: Clarify scope of work and timelines, establish norms, develop vision and philosophy aligned to The Bellingham Promise, establish screening criteria.

Agenda

Charter

Minutes

PowerPoint Presentation

Meeting 2 – March 23: Screen materials, identify no more than 3 semi-finalists, create staff and community feedback form.
Meeting 3 – March 24: Screen materials, identify no more than 3 semi-finalists, create staff and community feedback form.
Meeting 4 – March 31: Publisher’s presentations.
Meeting 5 – April 28: Examine semi-finalists using rubric, review feedback, make recommendation, complete Instructional Materials Committee paperwork including bias screening.
Meeting 6 – May 5: Additional meeting date if needed.

Budget Implications:

Substitute reimbursements and costs for outside of workday for committee meetings
This committee’s recommendation will result in budget allocations required to purchase materials and provide professional development that can be provided through LAP funding.