Guilderland Parents Advocate (GPA) was formed in 2003. It originally began as a means to address the reading curriculum in Guilderland Schools. Our original goals that still remain are to have our reading program follow the guidelines set forth by the National Reading Panel and for early intervention and remediation with scientifically proven approaches.

We believe that phonics and phonemic awareness, the ability to sound out words, is a vital strategy to learning how to read and to be a successful reader of more complicated text found post-elementary school. We believe, as research has concluded, that the lack of this kind of instruction produces more learning disabled students and that we can all but eliminate many learning disabilities with proper early instruction. We believe, as research has concluded, that children taught this way will be better at spelling even if they did not have trouble learning to read. These methods, combined with the district's current approach, creates the balanced literacy approach needed to reach the highest percentage of children.

We believe that early identification and intervention is key. We advocate for a more comprehensive kindergarten curriculum and comprehensive kindergarten screening so that support services can begin sooner in this critically important developmental year and so that more challenging work can be given to those who need it.

We believe that kindergarteners can learn, and should be formally taught, handwriting, phonics and phonemic awareness. We believe that first graders should be taught actual spelling vs. invented/temporary spelling.

We have since expanded our scope to lend support and guidance in the areas of learning disabilities and gifted students. We have lent support to other topics brought to the District that are important for a high quality educational experience but not immediately embraced such as foreign language and racially sensitive literature choices. We believe that a school district should be accountable to the families it serves and that as an advocacy group of growing numbers, we have a responsibility to ensure accountability.