Understanding the School District of Philadelphia’s New ELA Curriculum

The School District of Philadelphia has launched a new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum for the 2024-2025 school year. This isn’t just a superficial update—it’s built on decades of research and advocacy.

At our recent Lunch & Learn, we asked how are our children being taught to read? Jen Dianna, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for ELA, broke it all down for us.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why This Curriculum and Why Now?

Philly’s literacy rates have been stuck for years. Right now, only 31% of third graders are reading at grade level, and that hasn’t changed much over the last few decades. Our kids deserve better.

That’s why the School District adopted EL Education, a curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading. This approach is backed by decades of research about how the brain learns to read. And is being embraced by school systems nationwide.

The new curriculum, which was selected with input from Philly parents, teachers, and community partners, aligns with two main goals:

1. Embracing the Science of Reading through clear, explicit instruction.

2. Building background knowledge progressively, so all students can start on the same page and learn and grow together.

This new curriculum is a milestone that reflects years of planning and advocacy across Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Jen Dianna emphasized the collaborative efforts behind this $25 million investment, including the school board's vision, the superintendent’s commitment to the Science of Reading, key policy wins including Chapter 49, and the dedication of countless literacy advocates. 

Key Takeaways You Need to Know

1. It’s All About Evidence. Remember the days of guessing words from pictures? No more. The Science of Reading prioritizes explicit instruction of foundational literacy skills like phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. Giving kids the building blocks they need to decode words with confidence. 

2. Culturally Relevant Texts Aren’t Going Anywhere. Philly’s kids deserve to see themselves as the main character in the stories they read. From local legends to global perspectives, the curriculum intentionally features diverse books that reflect our city. Both affirming our children’s identities and opening them to new worlds.

3. Support for Teachers = Better Outcomes for Kids. Teaching kids to read is no small feat—especially with a new curriculum and approach. Doing it well takes time and grace. But here’s the reality: the District only had 11 hours of professional development time built into the schedule this year. That’s not nearly enough for our teachers to feel confident and supported. So, the ELA team got creative and rolled out additional support, including a paid summer institute, weekly virtual PD sessions, and encouraging principals to extend their positive, growth-focused cultures to their teachers. 

“I can picture myself standing in front of a second-grade classroom, having this new resource in my hands and trying my best to make it work. And all of a sudden I’m trying this new thing and it feels uncomfortable and it feels awkward. And suddenly I don’t feel like a good teacher anymore. 

And that is really hard for teachers. When we give them a new curriculum and ask them to teach in a way they aren’t used to, it can shake their identity and confidence.

… We absolutely know that this core resource is the best thing we could put in teachers’ hands, but we also know that teachers need time, support, and empathy.”

— Jen Dianna

What Does This Mean for Families?

To help you support literacy at home, the District has launched the ELA Family & Caregiver Support Hub. It’s packed with rich resources, including videos showing exactly what your child is learning, a glossary full of definitions of literacy terms, and tips to boost reading skills at home.

The best part? It’s free and open to anyone. And these resources are available in multiple languages, making it easier for all families to join in.

Because when schools and families work together, kids win.

What Can You Do?

Is this new ELA curriculum a magic wand for solving the literacy crisis? No. But it’s a big step in the right direction.
Change takes time. But with the right tools, the right people, and a whole lot of heart, we can rewrite Philly’s early literacy story. 

Here’s what you can do. 

1. Ask Questions. Talk to your child’s teacher about how the new curriculum is being used in the classroom. Stay curious, stay involved, and give grace—it’s a learning process for everyone.
   

2. Read at Home and in the Community.  It takes between 40 and 200 repetitions for something to stay in your long-term memory! Make reading part of your daily routine. Share bedtime stories, read store signs together, or encourage a child in your life to re-read the decodable books they’re working on in class. Every little bit helps.
   

3. Advocate for the Science of Reading. Implementing the Science of Reading is expensive, but our children are worth it. Reach out to your elected officials and urge them to prioritize literacy funding to help pay for resources and meaningful professional development. You can also join advocacy groups like the PA Literacy Coalition to learn more and amplify your voice.

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