Edina board adopts Benchmark Advance as new elementary literacy curriculum

The Edina Public Schools Board of Education voted to adopt Benchmark Advance as the district’s elementary tier‑one literacy curriculum after a multi‑year review and pilot work.

Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning Bethany Van Ostel presented the final recommendation and told the board the choice followed a three‑year review process that used rubrics aligned with the Minnesota Department of Education and the science of reading. “This program has the knowledge‑building small‑group sets, it has interdisciplinary units, and it was a comprehensive program that rose to the surface unanimously,” Van Ostel said.

The board heard that the selection process included teacher design teams, special education and English‑learner representatives, and building pilots. Jamie Hawkinson, dean at Creek Valley Elementary School, described K‑5 teacher involvement and said the committee prioritized alignment with existing literacy strategies and supports for multilingual learners. “We found a very big energy around connection to literacy, K‑5 alignment across sites, accommodations for multiple learning styles, and increased opportunities for depth of knowledge,” Hawkinson said.

District staff told the board Benchmark Advance will replace the current tier‑one materials (Making Meaning/Being a Reader/Being a Writer) and that intervention programs such as Sonday are expected to remain for targeted supports. Van Ostel said the program includes resources that support Spanish dual‑language classrooms through a companion program called Adelante; she added that French immersion materials are not available in translation and the district is working on an implementation plan for that program at Normandale.

Board members asked about cost and payment timing; Van Ostel said the vendor quote changed slightly to include Adelante and additional small‑group materials, and that payment terms (upfront vs. installment) are negotiated with the vendor. A district finance official will finalize procurement details. On tiering and outcomes, Van Ostel emphasized Benchmark is intended as the universal (tier‑one) curriculum; intervention resources remain separate.

The motion to approve the elementary literacy curriculum adoption recommendation of Benchmark Advance passed by voice vote; the board recorded an affirmative voice vote and no opposition was raised at the meeting.

District staff said early implementers have already begun using the program this year and reported positive classroom engagement and early indicators of stronger student writing and text engagement. Staff will continue implementation supports and collect student outcome and implementation data under the district’s implementation science approach.

The board directed administration to bring any required contract documents and final procurement terms back to the board as needed.