Act 20
On July 19, 2023, Governor Tony Evers signed the 2023 Act 20 reading legislation into law. This law moved the state toward phonics-orientated literacy instruction and received bipartisan support and a nod of approval from the DPI. This law aligns Wisconsin with dozens of other states. It is often described as implementing the Science of Reading. What is the Science of Reading?
The Science of Reading is a body of empirical research regarding what works in literacy instruction. It emphasizes elements of both Word Recognition & Language Comprehension, which ultimately leads to Reading Comprehension. Based on the research, for anyone to become a skilled reader, proficiency in both Word Recognition and Language Comprehension needs to be secure.
Merton's SOR Journey
Merton's commitment to continuous improvement is evidenced by our 5-year review cycle of all curriculum and instruction with regular analysis of data to drive decision-making. Based on our early assessment of pandemic learning loss data, a Multi-Level System of Support Team was created in Fall 2021, to identify solutions regarding literacy instruction. One focus area of the Team’s work was implementing a high-quality universal level of instruction of the K-8 English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum. To prioritize the work, a 6th-8th grade ELA review was conducted one year ahead of schedule with a proposal of a new curriculum and resources incorporating a science-based reading approach to literacy in 2023. The Kindergarten-Fifth grade review took place during the 2023-2024 school year, carefully aligning to the Act 20 law.
What's Different?
Our past program, Units of Study from the Reader's and Writer's Project, had a positive impact on our staff and students:
Our strengthened program will:
Merton has put together a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) document, found on the link below, which highlights the key changes in our new literacy resource and instruction. We feel it is filled with everything you need to know!
Still have questions? Please contact our Literacy Instructional Specialists, or your classroom teacher for additional information.
Merton Instructional Practices and Resources
Instructional resources are not used in entirety in the Merton Community School District. We review the prioritized resources to determine which components align with our approved standards and leverage those components for instructions. During curriculum writing, our teacher teams will be looking to remove any lessons or materials for reasons such as the capacity of our primary/intermediate school-day schedules for RLA instruction, deemed developmentally inappropriate, do not align with our District policies, or if they are not aligned to our district and community values.
myView (Kindergarten-Grade 5)
In myView, teachers will provide research-based instruction in reading, writing, foundational skills, language, and speaking and listening using whole-group and small-group instruction. The reading block follows a gradual release model that enables teachers to differentiate for all abilities while the writing block provides a structure and explicit instruction in which student authors participate in daily mini-lessons where they are immersed in genres through mentor texts to develop their own writer’s craft. Students practice skills that are complementary to both reading and writing, such as analyzing the author’s craft, word study, spelling, and language and conventions. Students have the opportunity to read as writers and write for readers daily.
myPerspectives (Grades 6-8)
myPerspectives is a powerful English language arts curriculum for Grades 6–8 that values the perspective of the learner, collectively and individually, and provides next-gen learning experiences that promote higher achievement and develop the competencies needed for college and career readiness. Interactive learning blends print and technology in a student-centered learning, teacher-inspired classroom. This dynamic Savvas program creates an interactive, engaging, and relevant learning environment through readings, meaningful activities, and purposeful performance tasks. my Perspectives encourages social collaboration as well as student ownership of learning through goal setting, choice, and reflection.
Retreaved from https://www.savvas.com/index.cfm?locator=PS2rBh on 5.30.23
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