Literacy Resources
Dear Parents/Caregivers:
On January 8, 2026, the NC State Board of Education adopted new English Language Arts (ELA) Standards for implementation in the 2027-2028 school year. These standards serve as the framework that guides the development of the curriculum and instruction of ELA and deeply align with the Science of Reading. These standards define what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of each school year or course so that they are prepared for postsecondary opportunities, be it college, career, or military.
Over the next year and a half, our schools will begin aligning curriculum to these new standards. Teachers will receive professional development and aligned instructional materials gradually during this time.
We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process. Please review the attached resources to learn more.
- NCDPI ELA Listserv
- Crosswalk between 2017 & 2026 Standards
- NCDPI ELA Facebook and Instagram
- NCDPI Virtual Implementation Kit (VIK)
- NCDPI ELA Team Webpage & Contact Information
- NCDPI Office of Teaching & Learning External Implementation Guide
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mary Haywood
K-5 ELA Coordinator
mary.haywood@hcs.k12.nc.us
Foundational literacy skills are the launching pad to confident reading—an achievement that will carry our students through life.
Reading Horizons is our CORE curriculum from grades K-3 and for support and intervention in grades 4th and 5th.
About McGraw-Hill Wonders
Wonders is the core reading program used in Hoke County Schools for grades K through 5. It is built on decades of literacy research and aligned to the science of reading, ensuring that all students receive high-quality instruction in phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing. Wonders provides rich, diverse texts at the right level of challenge, along with clear routines that help children grow as confident and capable readers.
Independent reviews and research studies have shown strong results for students using the program. Wonders earned top ratings in text quality, knowledge building, and usability from EdReports, a nationally respected curriculum reviewer. Multiple districts across the country have documented significant gains in reading performance after implementing Wonders, including growth on assessments such as DIBELS, MAP, and state ELA exams. These findings highlight the program’s effectiveness for a wide range of learners, including multilingual students and those needing additional support.
For families, the strength of Wonders is its consistency and structure. Students read engaging stories, build background knowledge, and practice important skills every day with materials designed to support both on-level and developing readers. Wonders also connects closely with our K-2 foundational reading work, helping ensure a smooth progression from learning to read toward reading to learn.