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Board approves new K–8 ELA materials after two-year review; district selects MyView by Savvas
Summary
After two years of piloting and feedback from more than 125 teachers, the board approved MyView/Savvas as the district's elementary and middle-school ELA program; estimated six-year costs: $643,045.50 (elementary) and $294,496.20 (middle).
Portage Township Schools on March 17 approved new English language arts curriculum for elementary and middle schools after a two-year review that included three pilots and input from more than 125 teachers.
The board approved MyView by Savvas for kindergarten through fifth grade for a six-year period at a total estimated cost of $643,045.50, and approved Savvas (My Perspectives) for grades 6–8 at a total estimated cost of $294,496.20. The elementary package includes consumable student editions, teacher materials, an online platform, diagnostic assessments and supplemental materials for remediation, enrichment and English learners; the middle-school adoption includes classroom sets, teacher books and a digital subscription.
District administrators said the adoption process began in March 2024 with a district ELA adoption committee, a spring instructional-materials showcase, and three pilots at different schools that involved 18 pilot teachers representing primary and intermediate grades across the district. Committee leaders said the steering group included teachers from all eight elementary buildings, special-education teachers, Title I teachers and a literacy coach. Presenters said the committee reached a consensus recommendation after surveying teachers and holding company presentations.
"We are making sure that every student in every school, in every classroom throughout Portage Township Schools has access to the same ELA curriculum, with the same resources," said Scott Hufford, principal at Christman (introducing the elementary presentation).
The board heard questions about professional development, online components and assessment modification. Presenters said the vendors have committed to training and ongoing support, the online platforms are user-friendly and the assessment data can be disaggregated to drive instruction and intervention strategies.
Vote outcomes recorded in the meeting minutes: - Elementary adoption (MyView by Savvas): approved; roll call recorded five yes votes (Trustee Wilkie; Trustee Ramon; Trustee Smith; Trustee Duesguest; Trustee Maleta). - Middle-school adoption (Savvas/My Perspectives): approved; roll call recorded five yes votes (Trustee Rainey; Trustee Smith; Trustee Neskask; Trustee Maleta; Trustee Wilkie).
Officials said implementation planning and vendor-led professional development will begin immediately pending final paperwork, with some training offered before the end of the current school year and additional work offered over the summer so teachers can prepare for next fall.
