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Board hears pilots for early literacy and pre‑K digital learning; staff seeks February approvals
Summary
Supervisors reported pilot results for a 95% phonemic‑awareness supplement for K–1 and Age of Learning’s MyReading/MyMath academies for pre‑K; staff requested consensus to forward both items for formal approval at the February board meeting.
District supervisors presented pilot results for two supplemental resources: a 95% phonemic awareness pocket program for kindergarten and first grade and Age of Learning’s MyReading and MyMath academies for pre‑K students. The board gave staff consensus to forward both resources to the February regular meeting for formal approval.
Dr. Renee Hall, supervisor for K–5 reading, described a pilot of a “pocket PA” phonemic‑awareness flipbook aligned to the district’s 95% phonics program. The lessons are short—about 5–10 minutes daily—and focus on one or two skills per week, Hall said. The pilot included five schools and 19 teacher responses; most teachers rated the program positively on engagement and ease of implementation. Hall said some teacher responses were anonymous and staff would follow up to learn why a small number of teachers rated the program less favorably. She said the expected one‑time purchase would be about $10,000 for full deployment.
Missus (supervisor of early childhood) presented data from a fall pilot of Age of Learning’s MyReading and MyMath for approximately 300 pre‑K students across 16 classrooms in five schools. Staff reported higher mastery rates among students who spent more time in the academies; the team tracked minutes per week and skill‑mastery percentages and said the program includes family‑access components but that staff for the pilot asked families not to use the programs at home during the test period to keep classroom data consistent. Staff requested consensus to bring both resources to the February board meeting for final action, and board members signaled agreement.
Board members asked about assessments, alignment with existing screeners (I‑Ready and STAR/early literacy), how teachers would be trained and how the programs would be used alongside core instruction. Staff said the PAST screener would be used selectively for students struggling with phonological awareness and that MyReading/MyMath data can be used to inform instruction and interventions. The board agreed to move both items forward for formal approval at the next meeting.
