The La Grange School District 102 Board of Education on June 12 approved a set of new K–8 English language arts instructional materials after a yearlong, committee‑driven review and a multi‑teacher pilot.

District staff recommended and the board approved three purchasing actions: a six‑year contract for Benchmark Advance (including the Adelante Spanish editions) for kindergarten through grade 5, a six‑year adoption of Savvas My Perspectives for grades 6–8, and a one‑time upgrade of William & Mary materials for the LA‑Plus accelerated program. The board approved the purchases by roll call votes during the meeting.

Administrators and curriculum staff described the adoption as the product of a multi‑year process that included: research and alignment to the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and science‑of‑reading principles, formation of a cross‑district LA review committee, vendor demonstrations, and a formal pilot in which 55 teachers from across grade levels and buildings tested candidate programs.

“Teachers really had a lot of great things to say about Benchmark. They loved that there was so much stuff, the online components and the opportunities for differentiation,” said Maureen (curriculum staff), summarizing pilot feedback about K–5 materials. Rachel Owens, coordinator of curriculum and multilingual learning, highlighted the dual‑language Adelante materials’ Spanish authentic texts and scope and sequence.

The district described implementation supports that will follow approval: a multi‑tiered professional learning plan in August (activation), vendor coaching, building‑level coaching from the district instructional coaches, and ongoing feedback loops in year 1. Staff said they will make intervention and supplemental materials a follow‑up priority once core materials are in use and that special‑education, EL and intervention staff will have digital access to materials for planning.

District administrators provided budget estimates during the presentation: Benchmark Advance is a six‑year purchase with a first‑year cost “just over $800,000” (materials and licensing up front), Savvas My Perspectives for grades 6–8 carries a first‑year materials/professional learning cost described at “just under $200,000,” and William & Mary upgrades and consumables for LA‑Plus were described as a one‑time investment of about $218,000 for initial materials and recurring workbook purchases thereafter. The board approved all three purchases.

Board members thanked teachers and curriculum staff for the extensiveness of the process. Administrators said they will place orders promptly if the board’s approvals are final so that teachers can have digital access and printed materials for fall implementation.

Ending: The district will proceed with year‑one activation and professional learning this summer; staff said they will monitor implementation and respond with supplemental intervention materials as needed.