As a student who has directly experienced the implementation of materials from Benchmark - the reading company that was recently adopted by the FCPS county - the change is deeply disturbing to me. It is not only myself who holds these sentiments but also at least a thousand others who are now forced to adapt to this new environment. We find this new company's approach to learning highly unappealing and unhelpful. There is a noticeable shift away from genuine, "normal" teaching that we as students used to appreciate.

The sudden transition to a company-based curriculum that does not cater to our individual learning styles has led to an apparent dissatisfaction among students. If this can happen in just one county, imagine the potential negative effects this could have on a larger scale. The drastic change in teaching direction could be disorienting to many students, negatively affecting academic performance and personal growth.

It is our belief that school learning should be an enriching experience where students feel they are making progress. However, with the introduction of Benchmark, we feel side-tracked. Moreover, there seems to be a lack of substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of Benchmark's teaching methods, leading us to question the validity of their curriculum.

It is essential that the voices of students - the main stakeholders in education - be heard. We call for the return of traditional teaching methods that are student-centered and have been proven time after time to be effective. As students, we deserve an education system that is conducive to our learning.

Please sign this petition to urge the FCPS county to drop Benchmark and return to the teaching methods preferred by us, the students.