BELLEFONTE — At its most recent meeting, the Bellefonte Area School Board devoted much of its discussion to a proposed update to the district’s elementary English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum.

The science of reading-based curriculum materials, presented for consideration by Elementary ELA Resource Committee members, Jackie Wynkoop, director of curriculum and instruction, and Elementary Literacy and MTSS Coach Nicole Kohlhepp, represent a significant investment for the district, which aims to enhance elementary students’ reading comprehension.

Currently in the development and revision phase of the district’s curriculum cycle, a team of educators and administrators conducted an extensive review of potential curriculum materials to identify the best support for literacy instruction in BASD’s elementary schools.

After evaluating multiple comprehensive programs, the district found that none fully aligned with its instructional philosophy and students’ needs. This prompted a broader search for high-quality resources that better support educators and learners. Through this process, they identified three programs — Really Great Reading, Arts & Letters and Morpheme Magic — that “align exceptionally well” with the district’s goals for literacy instruction.

The first program, Really Great Reading, would make up approximately 20 minutes of the K-3 literacy learning block and comes at a total cost of $237,072.65 for five years of materials.

“Really Great Reading just focuses on the foundational skills piece, so our teachers absolutely fell in love. Every single committee member 100 percent agreed,” said Wynkoop, who noted it is rare to find a program they all approve of.

“With the adoption of this program, we ensure that our word reading skills are explicitly taught,” added Kohlhepp.

The program includes handwriting print instruction for K-2 and cursive for grade 3, seamless integration with MTSS, an online component, comprehensive assessment suite and grouping matrix to support students in need of academic interventions.

The second program, Arts & Letters, would make up an hour of the K-5 literacy block at a pre-tax cost of $595,184.44.

“It’s a lot of money, but this is probably the biggest purchase a school district ever makes curriculum wise,” Wynkoop said, explaining that ELA comprises roughly a third of an elementary student’s day. The total cost, which will come from next year’s budget, covers materials for the next five years.

“Arts & Letters would address the language comprehension side — so vocabulary, reading comprehension, structure, things like that,” explained Wynkoop.

Designed to build knowledge and skills through authentic texts, engaging topics and a research-based focus on the science of reading, the program enables students to explore and make connections across literature, arts, social studies and science while strengthening their reading and writing abilities.

One of the program’s standout features is its cross-curricular approach. Each module engages students through a piece of artwork, helping them develop a broad knowledge base.

“The fact that these (lessons) can connect what they’re learning in phonics, and they can apply it to reading these books that are connected to what they’re learning in comprehension and language, we felt like was what sealed the deal,” said Wynkoop.

“If the students are learning a particular skill in Really Great Reading, there are decodable (texts) that they can also read within this program that match that skill,” she added.

Although Arts & Letters is designed for grades K-8, the committee is seeking approval for K-5. Grades 4 and 5 initially intended to keep all their previously approved materials from 2018, but interest in Arts & Letters grew.

“They heard about Arts & Letters and were really intrigued, explored the materials and just last week decided they want to go in that direction too,” said Wynkoop.

Morpheme Magic, the third program, would make up approximately 10 minutes of the literacy block in grades 4 and 5 at minimal cost to the district.

Because 4th- and 5th-grade teachers previously piloted the program, they already have many of the materials and only need to purchase 10 additional kits, totaling $1,300.

Wynkoop explained that Morpheme Magic would supplement Arts & Letters, which does not adequately help students identify and understand morphemes — the smallest units of meaning in a word.

She also noted elementary teachers plan to continue using the Handwriting Without Tears program in grades K-2 for print and grade 3 for cursive, as it aligns with Really Great Reading’s penmanship milestones.

“All three of these programs tie together nicely,” Wynkoop said.

Additionally, she explained the district’s existing Fountas & Pinnell picture and chapter books will be repurposed for small-group reading instruction and classroom libraries. Supplemental small-group texts and a grammar resource for grades 4 and 5 may be presented for approval at a future board meeting.

“I haven’t dug real deep into it yet, but from what I’ve dug into, it looks amazing,” said Board member Nate Campbell, who noted he especially appreciated that it wasn’t a pre-boxed program. “You guys and the committee took the time to find what you think will work best for Bellefonte.”

Campbell also voiced financial concerns but was reassured that the district had the necessary funding.

Board member Tim Kessling echoed the financial concern, so Wynkoop explained that while the initial investment is significant, the district would save substantially over the long term by committing to a five-year program rather than a shorter-term one.

“We don’t take this decision lightly,” said Wynkoop. “We would not be presenting these materials if we were not fully confident in the decision.”

Donna Smith echoed Campbell’s sentiments, particularly noting that the science of reading approach appears to have great promise.

“I appreciate the collaborative process that you led to get here. I think that’s really important. Not only arriving at the best decision, but building commitment towards a successful implementation as well,” said Superintendent Roy Rakszawski.

According to Wynkoop, the three proposed resources are up for approval before the board at their Wednesday, April 9, meeting at CPI.