During a recent Waxahachie ISD board meeting, community members voiced strong concerns about the district's potential adoption of the Amplify reading curriculum. The meeting featured several speakers who criticized the curriculum's effectiveness and raised questions about its implementation.

Andrew White, a local resident, highlighted the lack of transparency regarding the curriculum's performance. He pointed out that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is promoting Amplify without providing sufficient data to demonstrate its success. White expressed frustration over the absence of results from the four schools currently using Amplify, questioning whether the district should continue to invest in a program that has not yet proven effective.

Barry Jacobs echoed these sentiments, asking for concrete results before making further commitments to Amplify. He shared concerns about employee reviews of the company, suggesting that if Amplify struggles to train its staff, it may not be reliable for educating students. Jacobs urged the board to consider feedback from teachers and parents before proceeding.

Meg Bakich warned against what she described as government intrusion into local education. She criticized Amplify as a product that prioritizes screen time over traditional teaching methods, arguing that it undermines the role of teachers and local control. Bakich emphasized the importance of experienced educators in fostering student learning.

Other speakers, including Nancy Rodriguez and Greg Cooper, also raised alarms about the curriculum. Rodriguez criticized the qualifications of TEA Commissioner Mike Morath and questioned the effectiveness of screen-based learning. Cooper presented data comparing districts that adopted Amplify with those that did not, suggesting that the latter performed better in improving student outcomes.

The meeting underscored a growing tension between community members and state education policies, with many advocating for a return to traditional teaching methods and local control over educational decisions. As the board considers its options, the voices of concerned parents and educators continue to shape the conversation around the future of Waxahachie ISD's curriculum.