ELA Enrichment Updates for 2026-2027
The following message was shared with current ELA Enrichment parents on May 7, 2026.
As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, we want to ensure our families have clear, accurate information about the ELA educational enrichment model at Eden Hall.
The Big Picture: Budget & Strategy
Why is the district making staffing changes now?
Like many districts in Allegheny County, we are navigating the financial impact of the Common Level Ratio (CLR) real estate changes, which have significantly affected property tax revenue. We have been actively working to address a $4,700,000 deficit for the 2026 - 2027 school year. We have held more than a dozen public meetings focused on a variety of strategies to reduce expenses and increase revenue. For the second straight year, one difficult but critical step is to evaluate attritional savings. When a staff member in any position retires, resigns, or transfers, we evaluate if that specific position can be repurposed or reduced. For more information about that process, you can watch a recording of the April 13, 2026, staff services meeting.
What is our primary goal?
Our goal is to preserve educational excellence in academics, athletics, arts, and activities as a critical foundation of community value. With this goal in mind, we have the challenge of an ongoing deficit driven by declining real estate revenue and the task of considering changes in programs from a future-focused, multi-year perspective.
Is the budget gap solved?
No. While the administration and board are moving closer to a final budget for 2026 - 2027, we are projected to start the 2027-2028 school year with another significant deficit. We must continue to be fiscally responsible through a reduction of expenditures and increased revenue where possible. Each of these decisions is made in an effort to maintain our status as an exemplary school district. These kinds of creative and strategic moves are required of us now and we believe this approach will be a new, effective path to enriching our students in ELA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is the English Language Arts (ELA) Enrichment program being eliminated?
No. While the delivery model is changing, ELA enrichment remains a core part of the student experience at Eden Hall. We are shifting from a standalone "pull-out" model to a more integrated approach that leverages our district's mature Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Enrichment is a service, not a specific place or classroom. Students will receive ELA enrichment within their core classroom, during RAM time, and beginning next year, through extension activities in the library.
Question 2: Why is the district moving away from a standalone enrichment teacher?
This decision is rooted in both educational strategy and fiscal responsibility:
Educational Maturity: Since 2013, our district has built a robust system of universal screeners and data-driven "decision trees" that allow all classroom teachers to identify and support students needing enrichment. The District will continue to screen for enrichment needs and provide support to students as a part of the MTSS process.
Inclusion: In the current year, approximately 8% of students participated in standalone ELA enrichment. Our new model will help expand high-level projects and "school-wide enrichment" available to more students who demonstrate interest or high achievement.
Budgetary Stewardship: Like many districts in Allegheny County, we are facing declining real estate revenue driven by the Common Level Ratio (CLR). By re-evaluating program delivery and potential staffing changes when we have a potential vacancy, we can narrow our budget deficit, preserve programs, and help prevent layoffs (furloughs).
Average Homeroom Class Size: This move directly benefits our 6th graders by reducing average class sizes from approximately 27 students in a class to 25. Smaller, more manageable class sizes allow teachers to better differentiate and personalize instruction, ensuring students receive the support and enrichment they need.
Question 3: How will my child have access to ELA enrichment at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School in 2026-2027?
First, it is important to know that we will continue to evaluate student readiness for ELA enrichment through a rating process. Enrichment will now be delivered through a multi-layered approach involving several specialized periods and professionals:
General Classroom (Tier 1) Differentiation: Smaller classes allow teachers to better personalize instruction for every child during the regular school day. Class size averages are projected to be 24 - 25 across all three grades, 4th - 6th. Without this shift, 6th grade class size averages would have been 27 students per homeroom.
RAM Time (Reading and Math): This is a daily period dedicated specifically to differentiated instruction that is an extension from the general classroom. Teachers will use this time to provide enrichment projects and advanced learning based on your child’s specific needs and interests. Across a biome, teachers will be able to flexibly group students to work as a team to address the needs of all students in the biome.
Library Special: For the first time, we have added Library as a scheduled "Encore" class every other week. This provides all students with a dedicated professional focused on literacy, independent reading levels, and enrichment projects. With access to students’ individual reading levels through the STAR screener, our librarian will be equipped to help students find appropriately rigorous books of interest and be uniquely positioned to create and facilitate project-based learning opportunities with this newly added time for all students at Eden Hall Upper Elementary School.
GATE Services: Students who qualify for Gifted and Talented Education will continue to have their talents cultivated through the GATE program.
Question 4: Will my child still have access to the same types of projects as before?
Yes. Many of the project-based learning opportunities that were once limited to a single classroom are being integrated into the Library rotation and RAM time. Our goal is to use these creative outlets to increase student agency and engagement across the entire grade level. This was a goal set forth in our In-Depth Program Review cycles that drive continuous improvement.
During the MTSS & Special Education In-Depth Program Review, Gifted and/or Highly Achieving In-Depth Program Review, and the ELA In-Depth Program Review, the topic of school-wide enrichment opportunities were reflected with an emphasis on differentiation within the regular curriculum as well as other creative opportunities within daily ELA instruction (e.g., writing/speaking/listening opportunities, student choice, student ownership, student agency, and student engagement). Through our continued focus on Alignment (Curriculum), Time (Instruction), and Feedback (Assessment), we are leaning into the need for engagement and differentiation as we continue to mature and solidify collective commitments within ELA. Significant time has been invested in these concepts throughout the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years as a part of the professional development approach, equipping our teachers to approach differentiation effectively.
Thank you for your partnership in learning. We recognize that change creates impact. Refinements to our educational program have been a continuous part of our approach to improvement. We look forward to continuing to support our students and their individual interests and needs.