Shakopee schools adopt K–5 foundational literacy programs; board approves UFLI for K–2 and 95 Phonics for grades 3–5

The Shakopee Public School District board voted unanimously Monday to adopt new foundational‑skills literacy curriculum for elementary students, approving UFLI (K–2) and 95 Phonics (grades 3–5) as the district’s core resources.

The adoption came after a multi‑year pilot and review process. “So, tonight I’m bringing the recommendation for UFLY for grades K2 as our tier 1 kind of core instructional resource for all and then 95 phonics for grades 3 5,” said Nica, a district staff member presenting the recommendation to the board.

District leaders told the board the review began more than two years ago and considered national research, recent Minnesota standards and local pilot data from multiple elementary classrooms. Presenters described the purchase as a two‑phase adoption: the foundational‑skills programs approved Monday, followed by a later recommendation on language‑comprehension materials.

“Teachers felt like the scope and sequence with UFLI was a better match for our students in Shakopee and they have seen much faster results with UFLI than they did with 95 Phonics” for K–2, the presenters said, while noting 95 Phonics better matches older elementary students’ needs for morphology and multisyllabic work.

Board member Brophy moved to adopt the recommendation; Valdez seconded. Chair Smith called the vote, and the motion carried without opposition.

District staff outlined next steps should the board’s vote stand: continued implementation and pilot work for the rest of this school year, training for teachers and instructional coaches, development of pacing guides and instructional hubs, and full classroom implementation in the fall. Presenters said teams will also refine report‑card language and assessments to align with the new instruction.

Supporters at the meeting said the recommendation aligned with Minnesota’s revised standards and reflected local pilot data. Presenters emphasized that the change is intended to strengthen Tier‑1 instruction (core classroom practice) and allow earlier, clearer identification of students who need targeted interventions.

The board and staff also discussed training and rollout logistics, including state‑provided cohorts and an internal facilitator group the district trained last summer to help scale instruction. Presenters said the district expects multi‑year implementation and recommended multi‑year vendor arrangements to support fidelity.

Votes at a glance - Motion to adopt foundational skills K–5 (UFLI K–2; 95 Phonics grades 3–5). Mover: Brophy. Second: Valdez. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Notes: District to continue pilot and training; full implementation planned for fall 2025. - Consideration of agenda as presented. Mover: Brophy. Second: Aldrich. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Consent agenda (personnel, minutes, bills, wires, field trip request). Mover: Peterson. Second: Aldrich. Outcome: approved (unanimous). - Donations resolution (board roll call). Mover: Aldrich. Second: Brophy. Outcome: approved (roll call: Cidic/Valdez/Peterson/Smith/Aldrich/Johnson/Brophy — all yes).

Why it matters: Elementary literacy instruction shapes early reading trajectories; the board’s vote sets the district’s core materials and directs a multi‑year implementation that affects classroom instruction, teacher training and early screening/intervention practices.

Implementation details the board requested include training schedules, alignment of report cards and a community kickoff event planned for May to explain the change and summer reading supports.