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Seattle Public Schools/Departments/English Language Arts/Grades K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) Instructional Materials Adoption 2025-2026

Grades K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) Instructional Materials Adoption 2025-2026

Grades K-5 English Language Arts (ELA) Instructional Materials Adoption

The English Language Arts (ELA) content area of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction is launching a K-5 ELA Instructional Materials Adoption in the 2025-26 school year. The digital instructional materials adoption process will follow the Seattle Public Schools Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials, Policy No. 2015.  If approved by the Seattle School Board, the new digital instructional materials will be ready for implementation by the 2026-27 school year.

Instructional Materials Adoption Committee Membership and Selection

The committee will be made up of approximately 35-45 members who provide either subject matter expertise or perspectives of family and/or community members with current and/or past students in K-5 ELA. The committee will include:

  • K-5 ELA teachers and leaders representing a cross section of elementary and K-8 schools
  • ML, SpEd, elementary school teachers with experience and/or expertise in ELA curriculum and instruction
  • Parents, guardians, or community members of current or former elementary students, representing a wide range of schools and programs in SPS

Members will be selected and appointed in accordance with School Board Policy 4110: Family & Community Advisory and Oversight Committees, and Procedure 4110SP. The district shall provide public notice to individuals and organizations that may reasonably be interested in serving on the adoption committee.

Adoption Committee Vision, Purpose, and Goals

Vision

The K-5 English Language Arts Digital Curriculum Adoption Committee is committed to selecting a high-quality, equitable, and inclusive curriculum that empowers all students to become proficient readers, writers and critical thinkers. Through a multi-step process—including developing clear criteria, reviewing materials for anti-bias and sensitivity, evaluating submissions, selecting top finalists, and learning from field testing—the committee will work collaboratively to recommend a curriculum that aligns with district priorities.

Purpose

The purpose of the K-5 English Language Arts Instructional Materials Adoption Committee is to thoughtfully evaluate, select, and recommend high-quality, research-based instructional materials that align with state standards and district goals. The committee aims to ensure that the chosen materials support diverse learning needs, foster student engagement, and provide teachers with tools to effectively provide literacy instruction. Through a collaborative and inclusive process, the committee seeks to identify resources that promote equity and support accessible instruction designed to develop foundational reading, writing, and language skills necessary for academic success for all students. 

Goals
  • Engage district staff and community to ensure that the review and selection process includes input and feedback from multiple stakeholders 
  • Draft selection criteria anchored in Seattle Excellence and Policy 0030  
  • Review submitted materials for anti-bias and sensitivity 
  • Evaluate submitted materials using the approved selection criteria 
  • Review staff and community feedback to determine interests and priorities across both groups 
  • Narrow selection of materials to be field-tested 
  • Review data from field test to inform decision-making 
  • Submit final selection for approval by the Instructional Materials Committee and ultimately the School Board 
  • Recommend the professional development training for educators and school staff to support a successful implementation of the newly adopted curriculum 

Apply to Be on the Adoption Committee

A standardized application is posted below. The application deadline is Friday, May 2nd. Committee members will be selected by May 19th. Beginning May 31st, selected committee members will begin participating in the multi-step process.

Adoption Committee Schedule and Timeline

The committee will meet several times between May 2025 and February 2026. Saturday meetings will be held in-person at the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence. The Wednesday meetings will be held virtually through Teams.

  • Saturday, May 31, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 7, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 13, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 20, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
  • Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 7, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Additional dates/times will be agreed upon by the Adoption Committee as needed

K-5 ELA Adoption Timeline

  • March/April 2025: Funds for adoption process approved​
  • April 1-4 2025: Request for Information released​
  • April 1-4 2025: Adoption Committee applications open
  • May 2, 2025: RFI closed​
  • May 2, 2025: Committee applications close 
  • May 9, 2025: Committee members selected ​
  • May 12-16, 2025: IMC meets to review/approve timeline, committee members, and communication plan
  • ​May 13, 2025: Needs assessment for teachers, family, community launched
  • May 19, 2025: Adoption Committee members notified of acceptance to the committee
  • May 31 & June 7, 11 (PM), 14, 2025: Committee meets and develops selection criteria categories and develops rubrics
  • June 16-18, 2025: Selection criteria approved by IMC
  • July 21, 2025: Request for Proposals (RFP) released
  • August 18, 2025: RFP closes
  • September 8-24, 2025: Materials available for online community review
  • September 22, 2025: Field Test Teacher application released (closes Oct. 10)
  • September 13, 20, 24 (PM*), 27, 2025: Committee reviews materials and selects finalists for field test *Community Feedback Review
  • October 6, 2025: Second Request for Proposal released
  • October 20, 2025: Field Test Teachers notified of acceptance
  • November 3, 2025: Second RFP closes
  • November 12-15, 2025: Field Test Teacher training
  • December 2025-January 2026: Materials available for online community review
  • December 1-19, 2025 & January 5-30, 2026: Field test conducted
  • February 4 (PM), 2026: Panel Discussion with field test teachers and committee
  • February 7, 11 (PM) 2026: Committee makes final recommendation

IMC Approved Documents