The SCCPSS Literacy Task Force is seeking input from the community for the adoption of K-12 English Language Arts textbooks. Parents and interested community members of Chatham County are invited to review the selections under consideration at one of three Community Review Events. The events will take place Thursday, November 16 from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 1 from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, December 2 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Shuman Elementary School, 415 Goebel Avenue. Park and enter by the community pool.
“Books are sorted by grade bands, and we have a streamlined process that makes participating easy," said Andrea Burkiett, Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction for SCCPSS. “We have several tables of textbooks for review. These products have been reviewed to make sure they meet our standards and are aligned with Georgia's Standard of Excellence for Reading and Language Arts."
As the District moves toward an approach to foundational skills instruction that is based on the science of reading, it is imperative that classroom materials address all components of literacy relevant to all grade levels, including phonics, fluency, vocabulary comprehension, spelling, grammar and writing. The program selected must be culturally responsive and offer supports to meet the needs of all learners, including English language learners, students with disabilities and advanced learners. In addition, all selections must be aligned with the goals and objectives of the State of Georgia standard course of study for K-12.
The District began the process with a Request for Proposal in early 2023. Once the proposals were reviewed by a team of educators and professional learning specialists, the selections were narrowed, and the top-rated materials were “field tested" in the classroom with teachers and students for every grade level under consideration to determine if the product met the needs of teachers and students. Professional development was provided to pilot teachers during the summer of '23 and the products were tested in the first marking period of SY23/24. In October, K-12 educators were invited to review and provide feedback for each of the products.
Now, parents and community members are invited to review the materials and [provide feedback before the final recommendation is made to the Board of Public Education. The exercise will take about 30-45 minutes. Participants will use their smartphone to scan a QR code that will guide them through the process. A limited number of iPads will be available for anyone who does not have a smartphone.
For more information, call the Curriculum and Instruction Department at (912) 395-5313.
