Literacy/English Language Arts

Literacy is the foundation of all learning. Improving and sustaining literacy across MPS is key to achieving equitable educational outcomes in our community.

Vision

To affirm and cultivate learner's language and literacy development centering identity, joy, and critical thinking.

Mission

• To support all learners from birth to adulthood in literacy development as they become more empowered, inspired, and engaged participants in multicultural local and global societies.
• To prioritize langauge development and literacy (reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and exchanging ideas) through culturally sustaining curriculum and instruction in an inclusive environment as a means to achieve equitable educational outcomes in our communities.
• To increase, specifically, BIPOC learners', multilingual learners', and learners receiving special education services' growth and proficiency in literacy through evidence-based instruction. 

Literacy Audit Update

In the fall of 2022, the academic department began a literacy audit process after sharing the following information at the May 24, 2022, Committee of the Whole meeting:

• The current MPS elementary (K-5) literacy curriculum, Benchmark Advance 2017, will complete its fifth year at the end of the 21-22 school year.
• An audit of Benchmark Advance would be conducted during the 2022-2023 school year to measure current program alignment with the Science of Reading and elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
• Based on the findings from the audit, there may be a need to begin a comprehensive search for a new K-5 literacy curriculum.

In February 2023, the audit process was completed. The audit tool included components aligned to the Science of Reading as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It was found that Benchmark Advance (2017) K-5 Literacy Curriculum did not receive a passing score and showed a need for a new K-5 literacy curriculum. See the full results.

A curriculum adoption process will start in the 2023-24 school year to ensure that every student has access to academically rigorous and diverse literacy instruction.