New York State Education adopts Science of Reading with I Ready Magnetic Reading program

The East Islip Union Free School District Board of Education meeting held on May 6, 2025, focused on the implementation of the Science of Reading principles in alignment with New York State Education Department mandates. The meeting featured a presentation by educators discussing the I Ready Magnetic Reading program, which is designed to enhance literacy skills for students in grades K through 5.

The presenters emphasized that the Science of Reading is an evidence-based approach that integrates knowledge from various fields, including linguistics and psychology, to improve foundational literacy skills. Key components of this approach include structured literacy and systematic instruction, which are essential for effective reading and writing education.

The I Ready Magnetic Reading program was highlighted as a comprehensive literacy initiative that supports critical areas such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. The program includes explicit phonics instruction, decodable texts, interactive lessons, ongoing assessments, and adaptive learning tailored to meet the needs of all students.

For the K-2 levels, the focus will be on providing high-quality instruction through dedicated literacy blocks and small group instruction. For grades 3-5, the program aims to engage students with grade-level content while offering appropriate scaffolding to support diverse learners. The use of data from the I Ready assessments will guide instruction and interventions for struggling readers.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to implementing these strategies effectively to ensure that all students receive the support they need to succeed in their literacy development. The Board expressed its dedication to following through on these initiatives in the upcoming school year.