[MOSAIC] HM Basal/Lit Coach

[RICHARD THEXTON]

I would like to make a smart guess, or perhaps a connection, to the district that has been told they may only use the HM Basal.  Our district adopted HM last year (not teacher's 1st choice, btw) and also contracted with J. David Cooper, who is Senior Author of the series.  His "suggestion" was to only use the basal and resources that HM provided (for a mere 1/2 million$$) for the first year exclusively, so that classroom teachers would be familiar with the program and what was available within it.  In addition, he stood firmly on "start on page 1 and going straight through" (UUUGGGHHHHH!!!!!)  He did speak of how the strategies spiraled through the themes, so you were constantly revisiting them.  (Never long enough at once to really get a good feel for each strategy)
   Now, being a lit coach, we got another dose!  Our assistant superintendent called each of us and asked us if we were willing to completely and totally support the program and teachers, to agree that it is the end all and be all of literacy programs.  Of course, none of us were willing to do that, so we came up with a compromise.  We created a lesson plan template  so that teachers could continue to use the comprehensive literacy framework and plug HM into it.  Unfortunately, we were known as the HM Police by many CRT's, which didn't help with the rapport that is so essential for a coach.
  The result...good teachers felt compromised, as they had been told by admin to ONLY use HM.  They were afraid of getting in trouble if they "got caught"  using good teaching practices!!!  Needless to say, many were ready to quit!  My principal saw what was happening (with a lot of input from myself) and gave "permission" to use whatever teachers needed to do what was best for our kids.  Thank heavens!
  This year we have a new assistant superintendent (hmmm) who views HM as a resource to teach the curriculum.  Again, Thank Heavens:)
  I would have a serious talk with your lit coach.  It is her job to know best practices and even in this day of NCLB, (HM sells itself as being SBBR, they just don't mention it is all peer reviewed!)  She should be your champion and speak to your principal and get that support to do what is best for your kids.  She knows the basal is not best practice.  You can even give her my e-mail if you would like.  I"m sure they were sold the same pitch we were.  
  Otherwise, I would close my door and do what I know is right.  You do not want to be guilty of educational malpractice!  
  For other insights into the NCLB/SBBR reading series concerns, find a copy of Richard Allington's book Big Brother and the National Reading Curriculum.  
  Best of luck and good teaching!  Forgive the ranting:)
  Kelli Thexton
  kelli-n-rick at sbcglobal.net
  kthexton at westside.k12.ar.us
  Literacy Coach
  Westside Elementary
  Rogers, AR