PRESS RELEASE:
Wake County Public School System Selects EL Education’s Acclaimed Language Arts Curriculum
New York - June 14, 2017 - The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), the 15th largest district in the country, has selected EL Education’s open source Language Arts Curriculum for a districtwide three-year adoption that will begin with Grades 3 and 6 in the 2017-18 school year.
Brian Kingsley, Assistant Superintendent for Academics at WCPSS, noted that EL Education’s curriculum was selected with the input of the entire community including parents, students, and district school leaders and teachers.
“We need to move away from the traditional school model and provide teaching and learning that develops problem solvers,” Kingsley said, adding that the 4Cs — communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking — and social and emotional learning are cornerstones of teaching and learning within WCPSS.
“We have clear goals that center on the development of a student-driven classroom where the 4Cs and dynamic learning experiences are visible everyday. EL Education’s Language Arts Curriculum aligns with our goals and will serve as a vehicle to ensure that our students have access to learning that is both rigorous and engaging,” Kingsley said.
EL Education’s K-8 curriculum is a comprehensive, standards-based core literacy program that engages teachers and students through compelling, real world content. The curriculum has received the highest marks from independent curriculum review organization EdReports.org; been recommended for use by several states, including New York, Connecticut, and Washington; and scores exceptionally on Achieve’s EQuIP rubric for materials alignment. It has been downloaded more than eight million times and is in use in more than 600 districts in 44 states.
Created over 20 years ago through the collaboration of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound, EL Education’s research-based approach challenges and empowers teachers and students. The EL Education model has been shown to increase achievement: a recent study by Mathematica Policy Research found that students in EL Education schools gained an extra seven months of learning growth in reading after three years. Its Language Arts Curriculum draws on learnings from its network of over 150 schools.
Scott Hartl, President & CEO of EL Education, said that its Language Arts Curriculum respects the creativity of teachers.
“Our mission is to build teachers’ capacity to ignite each student’s motivation, persistence, and compassion to propel growth and success in school, college, career and life,” Hartl said. “We believe the combination of our highly-rated curriculum, pedagogical vision, and professional coaching will equip Wake County Public School System teachers with the expertise and tools to deliver instruction that engages students and meets the needs of all learners.”
EL Education’s professional services for school districts focus on meeting the higher bar of national standards, deepening student engagement, and transforming teaching and learning to foster student achievement gains.
To ensure successful implementation of the curriculum and strong outcomes, EL Education is providing Wake County Schools with a coordinated set of resources and support. Developed from its highly successful work with schools, its portfolio includes classroom-tested resources, inspiring professional learning for teachers, and strategic planning and coaching designed for leaders and teachers.
School districts interested in reviewing the curriculum can contact EL Education’s partner Open Up Resources at info@openup.org.
About EL Education
EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) is redefining student achievement in diverse communities across the country, ensuring that all students master rigorous content, develop positive character, and produce high-quality work. We create great public schools where they are needed most, inspiring teachers and students to achieve more than they thought possible.
EL Education transforms thousands of schools and districts across the country through a unique combination of rigor and joy in learning. Students’ impressive results encompass high academic achievement and college readiness, pride in the mastery of complex, authentic work, and a passion and capacity to contribute to a better world.
As a mission-driven, nonprofit organization, EL Education works with all kinds of schools: district and charter, from pre-K through 12th grade, serving populations that reflect the diversity of our country. We create powerful resources--in addition to our Language Arts Curriculum, we provide masterful coaching and professional development, and a portfolio of award-winning, educator-developed materials. For more information, visit www.ELeducation.org.
Media Contact:
April Hattori, EL Education
(646)517-6911 ahattori@ELeducation.org