Oceanside board approves 2025–26 district goals emphasizing curriculum, AI and social-emotional learning

The Oceanside School District Board of Education on Sept. 17 approved the district's 2025–26 goals, which the administration said will guide curriculum, professional learning, technology and supports for all learners during the coming school year. The board voted to adopt the goals after a presentation by superintendent Doctor Harrington and district staff.

District leaders told the board the goals were developed in a collaborative process over several months with teachers, administrators and leadership staff and will be tracked with periodic updates and a final report late in the spring. "We begin by outlining new goals ... the process for determining what those goals are going to be are decided well before, months before actually," Doctor Harrington said during the presentation.

The goals package calls for several instructional and program changes. In curriculum and instruction the district will launch an Advanced Placement Seminar course for 10th-grade English to give students early exposure to college-level research and presentation skills; expand grade 6–8 integration of the Kid Oyo coding platform; and begin development of a K–6 digital-badge pathway tied to the district's Digital Discoveries program. "At the core of our work, we believe that curriculum, instruction, and assessment must provide a challenging, engaging, and meaningful" learning experience, the curriculum presenter said.

On literacy, the district will continue rollout of evidence-based interventions: phase 2 of the SPIRE multisensory reading program in special education, continued implementation of Words Their Way in elementary grades, and use of a national consultant to strengthen small-group instruction and fluency. Mathematics staff will use New York State numeracy briefs K–12; universal pre-K will adopt the Brigance screener for actionable data at entry.

Special education goals include expanded universal screening for students in special classes, final-phase implementation of an elementary integrated co-teaching paradigm and the start of secondary ICT (integrated co-teaching) program review with a focus on data collection. The district said culturally responsive education and an equity advisory will advance authentic grading practices and strengthen responsive classroom practices in elementary schools.

Professional learning priorities listed by the district include training focused on executive-function skills — "Time management, organization, planning, and self regulation form the foundation that allows students to meet academic challenges," one presenter said — plus a new partnership with Long Island University placing seven teaching fellows in elementary schools for targeted reading and math support under weekly coaching.

Technology goals place a continued emphasis on classroom practice over gadgets. "Technology should never replace good teaching. It should strengthen it," Anna Polakastro, executive director of technology, told the board as she described the second year of K–12 AI initiatives, teacher professional development on AI, and curricular instruction on ethical, effective AI use. The district also plans to introduce LitLab for K–6 literacy support.

District leaders said the full goals document will be available on the district website and that staff will provide multiple progress updates during the year, with a comprehensive status report in late spring.

Board action: The board moved and seconded a motion to approve the 2025–26 Oceanside School District goals; the motion was approved on a voice vote.