A new law, HEA 1558, requires Indiana schools (including any receiving state funding through the Choice Scholarship Program) to use literacy curriculums that follow the Science of Reading (SoR) for the 2024-2025 school year. This prohibits educators from using three-cueing, a popular approach that encourages children to guess words based on clues like context and pictures.
St. John’s Lutheran School prepared for this new initiative by researching available Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) state-approved Reading Literacy curriculums. Two teachers were sent last winter to a “textbook caravan” that showcased available curriculums. Those teachers came back and shared information with teachers for Kindergarten through fifth grade, Dr. Lipscomb and Mrs. Berndt, the principal. The committee then researched each curriculum and after in-depth discussion, selected the Savvas Reading Literacy curriculum program.
Brain research has determined that carefully-ordered instruction in the essential components of reading: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension works best in reading instruction. The focus of Indiana’s Priorities for Early Literacy is to help educators better understand the science of reading to identify and implement effective instructional practices that can prevent reading difficulties and support literacy progress.
Savvas K-12 literacy programs, reading curriculum, ELA lessons, and literacy resources combine scientifically based research with personalized learning experiences. This ensures that the English language arts curriculum is more effective, inclusive, and rewarding. Improving reading fluency, comprehension, and writing skills are the emphasis.
St. John’s is implementing this Savvas literacy program in Kindergarten through third grade in the 2024-2025 school year. Fourth grade will implement the new Savvas curriculum in the 2025-2026 school year and the fifth grade will implement the Savvas curriculum in the 2026-2027 school year.
Throughout this school year, 2024-2025, St. John’s will continue to evaluate the materials and assessments used with our students. Our goals are to utilize scientifically researched materials and assessments that are best practices of instruction for students.
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