Students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Butler Area School District may soon be united in a continuous language arts curriculum, starting next school year.

At a meeting on Monday, May 12, school board members voted unanimously to adopt the Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade and the OpenSciEd science curriculum for fourth through eighth grade.

They also unanimously approved the 30-day public display of three other curriculum changes: Amplify English Language Arts curriculum for sixth through eighth grade; BioZone workbook for Biology students; and a new AP Macroeconomics textbook.

Laura Miller, district director of curriculum, instruction and professional development, gave a presentation on the latter three changes at Monday’s committee of the whole meeting prior to the vote. The language arts and science curricula previously were presented and approved for public display in March.

Miller said after the public display period, the Amplify curriculum and new textbook will be ready for adoption, while the BioZone workbook would still need a pilot period with students.

Miller said one key factor that set Amplify apart was the modular nature of the curriculum, as it offers options that account for students who need remediation or enrichment.

“There are six different levels at which you can present any activity, and that is to really push kids who need to be pushed higher and support students — there is even an English language component for students who are not native speakers,” Miller said.

She explained how Amplify is designed around a 100-day program, giving room for teachers to slow down or tack on additional studies while still covering the grade’s English Language Arts standards. Students also will have access to a curated digital library of supplemental readings.

“If students are not mastering it, now we have time to stop, look at the data, reflect on that, and we’re not rushing to get through the curriculum,” Miller said.

During the pilot phase, Miller said the department saw an increase in student engagement, writing stamina and work submissions, but also recognized an increase in rigor and expectations.

“We’re going to have to have some grace period for that,” Miller said. “Not all students are going to gain that stamina at the same time, but we have that expectation that they’ll all get there next year.”

The three changes currently in public display can be approved starting with the June 16 school board meeting.