Open correspondence to the editorial department: 'Addressing the Highline community, teachers, and school staff'
Highline Public Schools, a district known for its commitment to refining and strengthening literacy instruction, will be reviewing a complaint about the ARC Core literacy curriculum. The complaint was submitted by Lauren Schmidt.
The review comes as the district acknowledges the importance of evidence-based practices in reading instruction. For decades, Highline Public Schools' literacy approach has been grounded in the science of reading, a field that is crucial in helping children learn to read effectively.
However, the district also recognises that not all methods are created equal. Methods like three-cueing (guessing words and relying on pictures) and memorising sight words can harm children as words and text become more complex. This is a concern that has been voiced by many teachers and administrators within the district.
In light of this, Highline Public Schools looks forward to refining its literacy instruction to ensure it is aligned with the latest research. The decision regarding the complaint will be made in line with board policy 2020 and procedure 2020.
As the district moves forward, it is crucial that parents and families are kept informed about any changes being implemented in literacy instruction. Highline Public Schools encourages parents to advocate for evidence-based programs and materials.
More information about the curriculum and literacy instruction in Highline Public Schools can be found on their website. Additionally, resources such as "Hard Words - Why Aren't Kids Being Taught to Read?", "Is My Kid Learning to Read? The Purple Challenge", and "ARC Core - Ridley Reads Wolves (3Y)" can provide valuable insights into reading instruction.
Highline Public Schools also recently released a new video, "A Path to Success", which offers a glimpse into the district's ongoing efforts to improve literacy instruction. The district is also covering the cost of Camp Waskowitz for all 6th graders, an initiative aimed at fostering a love for learning and personal growth.
The district is aware that there is a group of children, often called "curriculum casualties", who need more structure and would not have struggled with proper instruction from the start. A student who is not reading proficiently by the end of third grade is four times more likely to drop out of high school. This underscores the need for a clear action plan for improving literacy instruction, one that has specific, measurable outcomes.
District leaders must be educated on and cognizant of evidence-based practices. Highline Public Schools teachers held a rally at Moshier Field to emphasise the importance of this issue and to call for change. The district is committed to making literacy instruction a priority and to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
