The Southern Lehigh High School Board has recently approved a planned update to the district’s English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum for the middle school and high school. An updated English curriculum could mean a lot to the way our school functions as a whole.
One of the key features of the updated curriculum, called StudySync, is its focus on a more systematic approach to teaching. Currently, a lot of responsibility is left to our teaching staff to determine how the classes are structured and curriculum is delivered.
“The curriculum will be more structured and will aim to handle all of PA state’s standards,” high school English teacher Mr. Jeff Hershey says.
This is where StudySync enters the picture. Units are aligned with state standards for ELA, but they are also customizable and flexible for both students and teachers, which makes it possible for both to adapt. A broad selection of works and resources are available to educate the students and help the teachers teach.
The addition of StudySync will also create more organization. Using one universal platform across all classes helps bring more unification to the entire education process.
There are a lot of different instructional approaches teachers can take when using StudySync. This is good, as it allows the material to be taught in the way that best fits individual students. However, this also means it may take a while to adapt.
As of now, the actual implementation of this new curriculum is still ongoing. In the near future, Southern Lehigh plans to meet with local partners and get our teachers connected for collaboration and training.
“Ideally, the full transition will take place by Fall 2024.” Mr. Hershey says.
A primary challenge with this new change is incorporating StudySync successfully and efficiently into our school. We know it has many valuable features, but putting them to the proper use is the most important aspect.
StudySync opens up a lot of opportunities for Southern Lehigh. Teachers moving forward in all grade levels must decide the different pathways taken. However, it will be implemented in a way that makes the learning experience easiest from both the perspective of the student and the teacher.
These changes to Southern Lehigh’s ELA curriculum mark a move in a new direction for the school to make the learning experience better for the students.
