The real story about WBCSD curriculum

Here are only a few of the facts about the language arts curriculum “Wonders” for K-6 grades and “StudySync” for 7-12 grades that was rescinded by the WBCSD board on Aug. 24.

1-There were 5 pages of a signed petitions from the community requesting the curriculum to be on the agenda at a board meeting.

2-Efficacy in education means the ability of a product to produce the desired results. “Overall there appears to be little or no research evidence that the Wonders program improves education outcomes, by a statistically meaningful amount.”

3-The cost was way over budget - $205,000 and budget was $155,000

4-State of Idaho DOE Literacy Adoption Guide stated Weaknesses of Wonders:

• “A fast pace is required to complete all components each week.”
• “..lack of shorter, more frequent formative assessments.”
• “Curriculum is heavily dependent on the on-line resources – problem if technology is not available.”
• “Hardcopies are not available.”
• “Teacher training will need to be extensive and ongoing.”
• “Does not provide much time for student selected reading materials.”

5-Remember when our state education department said that the Common Core standards were a failed system and revised them to the Idaho Core Standards? Under StudySync’s Digital Guide: under the Standards tab, it states – “Common Core State Standards”

6-Only 2 community member were chosen for the curriculum committee, although 34 community members applied.

For the reasons stated above, I believe the school board did the right thing in rescinding this curriculum.

Kathy Nash

Blanchard, ID