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Jordan Board reviews plan to buy decodable fluency books aligned to UFLI
Summary
District staff told the Jordan Board of Education on Aug. 12 that an RFP selected four vendors to supply decodable, print fluency readers aligned with the University of Florida Literacy Institute curriculum; schools will be offered a base allotment and an open-house chance to inspect books before purchase.
Jordan Board of Education members were briefed Aug. 12 on a district plan to give elementary teachers more print decodable readers intended to increase oral reading fluency for students using the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) curriculum. District staff said the materials would supplement — not replace — tier‑1 instruction. The books are intended mainly for kindergarten through second grade, and could also be used for students in literacy interventions. In the presentation, staff said four vendors were selected through the RFP process: Pioneer Valley Books, Just Write Readers, La Pria Education and Benchmark. Schools would receive a base allocation from the Teaching and Learning budget; schools could choose additional titles and pay for extra copies. Staff said the book pricing would be fixed for five years and that the materials are print books, not digital copies. Why it matters: Board members and staff said the district’s Acadience data shows students need more opportunities to practice fluency after receiving a phonics lesson. Staff compared fluency practice to musical practice — lessons must be followed by repeated practice for the skill to become automatic. Board members asked whether the materials would change scheduled literacy time. Staff replied the fluency books are intended to use time already built into literacy schedules for reading practice and not to add minutes to the school day. Staff also said an “open house” will allow teachers and parents to inspect actual books in person; proposed dates and ParentSquare notice were listed in the slides. What was not decided: The presentation was informational; the board did not vote on purchasing at the meeting. Staff said the materials will be returned to the board at a future business meeting after the open houses and after schools indicate selections. Next steps: Staff will hold the open houses, share selection and pricing details with the board after that public preview, and bring recommended purchases back to a business agenda for formal approval.
