English Language Arts Curriculum Selection Criteria for All Grade Levels
The official document
What the district published
This is the source material — exactly as released by RUSD. The plain English translation below is this site's version, written for community members who shouldn't need to know all the lingo to understand what they're legally entitled to as taxpayers, and how to access it.
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What this document actually says
This document outlines the criteria Reed Union School District will use to evaluate and select English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum materials. It establishes eight district-wide priorities including engagement through integrated learning, diverse content, grade-to-grade alignment, evidence-based teaching practices, writing instruction, varied assessments, and balanced foundational/advanced skills. The document specifies must-have features and deal-breakers for elementary grades (PK-5) and middle school (6-8). Elementary programs must include explicit phonics instruction, knowledge-building with rich texts, and handwriting, while avoiding scripted lessons and isolated skill drills. Middle school programs must offer bilingual materials and flexible digital/physical resources, while avoiding formulaic writing templates and excessive test prep focus.
What this means for your family
This framework will guide which ELA textbooks and programs your child uses. The district is prioritizing programs that teach reading through systematic phonics, connect reading with science and social studies, include diverse perspectives, and develop strong writing skills. The criteria ensure programs allow teachers flexibility to meet individual student needs rather than following rigid scripts or focusing primarily on test preparation.
Summaries are AI-assisted and based on the original district document shown above. Nothing has been editorialized — interpretations are clearly labeled. This site is maintained by Lina Godfrey's campaign as a community resource.