LINK Unlimited Scholars - 10th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Request for Proposals
LINK Unlimited Scholars - 10th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Request for Proposals
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10th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Request for Proposals
LINK Unlimited Scholars
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10th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Request for Proposals
LINK Unlimited Scholars
Apply Now
Description
10th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Request for Proposals DUE: APRIL 7, 2026Selection Notification: April 17, 2026Curriculum Submission Deadline: May 18, 2026Organizational BackgroundAs we celebrate 60 years of impact, LINK Unlimited Scholars continues to expand opportunities for talented and ambitious Black students across Chicago. LINK prepares Scholars to enroll in college, persist, and graduate prepared to lead and thrive in their careers and communities. Through academic enrichment, scholarships, college access, leadership development, career exposure, and mentoring, LINK works to increase college completion and long-term economic mobility for Scholars and their families.A key component of this work is our Summer Learning program, a 4-week academic enrichment and acceleration experience designed to strengthen Scholars’ academic skills, positioning them to enter the upcoming school year more confident, better prepared, and ready to perform at a higher level.Project OverviewLINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking proposals from qualified curriculum designers to develop an engaging, culturally relevant English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum for rising 10th-grade Scholars participating in LINK’s Summer Learning program. The curriculum should function as an academic accelerator, deepening mastery of the analytical reading, writing, and critical thinking skills they will need in the upcoming academic year.The curriculum should:Align with Illinois Learning Standards / Common Core ELA Standards for Grades 9–10Strengthen Scholars’ ability to analyze complex texts and construct evidence-based writingIntegrate culturally relevant literature and textsProvide rigorous instruction that prepares Scholars for the expectations of high school English courseworkScholars attend a wide range of schools with varying levels of preparation. The curriculum should therefore include scaffolding and differentiation strategies that support varying skill levels while maintaining high academic expectations.Desired Scholar Learning OutcomesBy the end of the Summer Learning ELA course, Scholars should be able to:Analyze literary and informational texts to identify central ideas, themes, and author perspectivesCite and integrate textual evidence to support interpretations and claimsWrite structured analytical paragraphs that include claims, evidence, and explanationCompare how different authors address similar themes or issuesDemonstrate stronger use of academic vocabulary and written expressionEngage critically with culturally relevant texts that reflect diverse Black perspectives and experiencesCurriculum Content Priorities for 10th Grade ScholarsThe 10th-grade course should build on the progression of LINK’s ELA program and serve as a bridge between 9th-grade literary identity exploration and 11th-grade historical and rhetorical analysis.Curriculum should emphasize:Close reading of complex textsAuthor’s purpose, tone, and rhetorical choicesComparative analysis across textsAnalytical writing using textual evidenceCritical discussion of themes such as identity, power, leadership, and social changeTexts should include voices from Black authors, thinkers, and cultural movements while strengthening students’ analytical reading and writing skills.Scope of WorkThe selected vendor will develop a complete ELA curriculum that includes:Curriculum ComponentsPre-AssessmentPost-AssessmentAlignment with Common Core / Illinois ELA Standards (Grades 9–10)Lesson ObjectivesCurriculum Pacing Guide aligned to the nine instructional days and varying 60-minute and 90-minute class structuresDaily Lesson PlansBell RingersExit TicketsFormative AssessmentsDifferentiation StrategiesMaterials ListInstructional MaterialsSlide presentationsStudent handoutsActivity guidesAssessment materialsTechnology ConsiderationsScholars will generally have access to computers or tablets during Summer Learning. However, lessons should still be designed so they can be fully implemented through paper-based instruction in the event of technological challenges.Assessment ExpectationsThe pre- and post-assessment structure is critical to this project.The curriculum must include:A diagnostic pre-assessment that measures Scholars’ baseline reading and writing skills.A post-assessment that measures the same standards and competencies, allowing LINK to accurately measure academic growth.The post-assessment should not be identical to the pre-assessment. It should assess the same skills using different texts or prompts to ensure the validity of growth measurements.Summer Learning Program StructureSummer Learning will run for four (4) weeks. During this program, Scholars participate in two academic courses each day: Math and English Language Arts (ELA). These courses are referred to as Core Class 1 and Core Class 2. One course will be Math and the other will be ELA. The order may vary by cohort.During Weeks 2–4, Core Class 2 is divided into two instructional segments (Part 1 and Part 2). These two segments together form the full instructional block for that course. Core Class 2 (Parts 1 and 2) may also be either Math or ELA, depending on the schedule.The instructional schedule differs between Week 1 and Weeks 2–4, and curriculum must align with these different instructional time blocks.Week 1 Instructional Schedule (3 Days)Instruction occurs Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in 60-minute class blocks. The ELA curriculum must therefore include three lessons, with each lesson designed for 60 minutes of instruction.TimeActivityDuration9:40–10:40 AMCore Class 1 (Math or ELA)60 minutes10:45–11:45 AMCore Class 2 (Math or ELA)60 minutes11:45–12:10 PMLunch25 minutes12:15–1:45 PMCareer Inspiration & Preparation90 minutesWeeks 2–4 Instructional Schedule (6 Days)Instruction occurs Monday and Tuesday only during Weeks 2, 3, and 4. Each academic course receives 90 minutes of total instructional time per day. TimeActivityDuration9:40–11:10 AMCore Class 1 (Math or ELA)90 minutes11:10–11:45 AMCore Class 2 – Part 1 (Math or ELA)35 minutes11:45–12:10 PMLunch25 minutes12:15–1:10 PMCore Class 2 – Part 2 (Math or ELA)55 minutes1:15–2:30 PMCareer Inspiration & Preparation75 minutesInstructional Day Count for ELACurriculum development must align with the total number of instructional days available.Total ELA lessons required: 9The curriculum must therefore include:3 lessons designed for 60-minute instructional blocks6 lessons designed for 90-minute instructional blocksCurricula designers must provide a pacing guide indicating how each lesson aligns to the nine instructional days and the varying 60-minute and 90-minute class structures.WeekInstruction DaysLesson LengthWeek 13 days60 minutesWeeks 2–46 days90 minutesProposal Submission RequirementsProposals should include:Vendor resume, which also highlights curricula design experienceCurriculum overviewCentral question or theme that guides the curriculumScope of workAnticipated standards and objectivesDescription of culturally relevant elementsOne sample lesson outline or activity demonstrating instructional approach and cultural relevanceProposals Must also Answer the Following Questions:How will your curriculum ensure it is culturally responsive and engaging for LINK Scholars?How will your curriculum function as an academic accelerator preparing LINK Scholars for high school English coursework?How will the pre- and post-assessments measure meaningful Scholar growth?How will teachers and Scholars monitor progress throughout the program?Evaluation CriteriaProposals will be evaluated based on:Alignment with Common Core / Illinois ELA StandardsAcademic rigor and alignment with the accelerator modelCultural relevance and responsivenessQuality of assessment designExperience developing curriculum for diverse learnersSelection Notification: April 17, 2026Collaboration and Progress Check-InsThe selected curriculum designer will work closely with LINK staff during the curriculum development period to ensure alignment with program goals and progress toward the submission deadline. Following vendor selection, the designer will participate in brief weekly check-ins over the four-week development period, which may occur through short virtual meetings (approximately 15–20 minutes) or email updates. These check-ins are intended to support alignment, provide feedback during development, and address any questions early in the process.Prior to final submission, the curriculum designer will participate in one final (60-75 minute) review session with LINK staff to walk through the completed curriculum, confirm that all required components are included, and ensure the pacing, assessments, and instructional materials align with the Summer Learning schedule and program goals.BudgetThe total budget for this curriculum development project is $2,500, which includes curriculum development, participation in progress check-ins, and the final curriculum review session.Submission InstructionsPlease submit proposals via email to: Myaah Morgan, Director, Educational Programs at [email protected] Deadline: April 7, 2026, 11:59 PM
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