Saline board adopts UFLI literacy program for kindergarten through second grade

The Saline Area Schools Board of Education voted unanimously on April 8 to adopt the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) curriculum as the district’s shared Tier 1 literacy program for kindergarten through second grade.

“It's UFLI, actually,” Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Cara Davis told trustees as she introduced the recommendation, saying the district’s instructional team had piloted multiple resources and that adopting one shared program will provide equitable access to foundational literacy instruction across buildings.

School leaders and instructional staff said the decision follows several years of aligned professional development and curriculum review. Jen Nelson, the district’s instructional designer and literacy coach, described district work on curriculum alignment and the transition to a cohesive K–2 program after pilots and lab-site observations.

Board members asked about e-books and screen time. Davis said the approved UFLI package does not rely on e-books and that classroom instruction will emphasize teacher-led, hands-on phonics, though the curriculum includes online supports for teacher learning: “there's no ebooks per se, in there at all. It's just part of the language around the policy that says you're approving those things,” she said. Trustees approved the adoption by recorded vote, 6-0.

Administrators described next steps as including summer professional development, classroom materials orders and teacher supports so staff implementing the new program have coaching and training. District leaders said the curriculum purchase fell under the district’s procurement thresholds and that funding is planned from identified grant awards and district resources.