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Casa Grande board adds UFLI and Just Words to supplemental reading menu
Summary
The Casa Grande Elementary District Governing Board unanimously approved adding the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) and Just Words by Wilson to the district's supplemental reading materials after a 60-day public review. The programs are intended for tiered intervention, not as core curriculum.
The Casa Grande Elementary District Governing Board voted to add the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) and Just Words by Wilson to the district's supplemental reading materials list following a 60-day public review and staff recommendation.
Jan Draper, district staff presenting the proposal, said the two programs are intended as supplemental interventions, not replacements for core curriculum. "Just Words is research based," Draper said, and she described Just Words as "an intensive word study program" for older students with decoding and spelling gaps. On UFLI she said the program focuses on phonological awareness and systematic, explicit phonics for early readers.
The board was told the supplemental designation means the materials will be used 20% of instructional time or less where chosen by teachers and buildings. Draper said the district piloted Just Words at one middle school and that a speech-language pathologist estimated roughly 25 students had used the program during the pilot. On costs, Draper said the Wilson kits involve a one-time purchase and that buildings could afford them through existing grants and building funds; she said the district had not estimated a total districtwide cost because use will depend on site-level need.
Board members asked questions about public feedback and implementation. Draper said the public review produced four comments, three identifiable as district teachers and one from an unfamiliar address; she also told the board that UFLI's training is scripted and typically quick to deploy for teachers already skilled in intervention work. A board member who has reviewed the public materials asked that the district make printed copies or provide an easier password access for parents and community members.
A motion to adopt the two programs as supplemental materials passed on a roll-call vote with President Varela, Mr. Stavely, Mrs. Sisson and Mrs. Martinez recorded as voting aye.
The materials will be listed on the district's menu of supplemental resources and available to buildings and teachers to use where a student or group of students needs tiered intervention.
