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Board to review recommendation to adopt Savas Learning ELA materials with multi-year payment plan
Summary
District staff recommended Savas Learning Company for K-8 ELA instructional materials under state requirements; the recommended purchase is a six-year adoption with three installment payments and will be presented for approval next week.
The Harris County Board of Education heard a review and recommendation to adopt new K-8 English/language arts instructional materials from Savas Learning Company (presented as Savas), a selection staff and teachers reached through a district evaluation process tied to state high-quality instructional-material requirements.
Dr. Finney said district curriculum leaders and K-8 teachers conducted a rigorous selection and arrived at Savas Learning Company (noted in discussion as the company formerly known as Pearson). He described a payment schedule tied to a six-year adoption: a $70,000 down payment (available now), a $467,000 installment due 07/15/2025, and a final installment of $537,000 due 07/15/2026. "This is actually a 6 year adoption," he said, and staff characterized the three-installment structure as the vendor's financing for the six-year materials adoption.
Dr. Finney said the materials were selected based on teacher feedback and compliance with the requirements of House Bill 538 and other standards governing high-quality instructional materials. He said staff will present the adoption memo for board action at the next regular meeting.
Why it matters: adopting ELA instructional materials under state quality requirements is a multi-year commitment that carries budget implications over two fiscal years and affects classroom planning and teacher preparation.
Quotes "Through teacher feedback and a rigorous selection process and evaluation process, they have, settled on Savas Learning Company," Dr. Finney said.
"We would have to pay $70,000 as a down payment, which we already have, and we're ready to, upon approval, provide that, purchase order for that to get the teacher materials that we need," he said.
Ending The board will review the adoption for approval at its next meeting; if approved by the board, the district will follow the described installment schedule and proceed with teacher rollout activities.
