Olentangy Local School District staff presented fall third-grade reading results and described steps toward selecting a state-approved K English language arts curriculum required by House Bill 33.

The presentation, given by Jeanette Kenny, director of data and continuous improvement, and Ebony Ford, K
2 literacy supervisor, summarized fall diagnostic results, explained the state's third-grade reading promotion expectations, and described a district process for piloting and selecting a core ELA resource.

Why it matters: House Bill 33 (July 2023) requires districts to adopt an approved K ELA curriculum grounded in the science of reading and to provide related professional development. The district's choice will shape classroom instruction across all elementary schools and affect students who remain on reading improvement and monitoring plans beyond third grade.

Kenny said the fall diagnostic is an early check of third-grade reading levels and noted the district's fall results returned near pre-COVID levels despite a higher promotion score. The promotion standard discussed was described as either an overall score equivalent to the state's proficient level (700) or a 50 on the reading subscore; Kenny cautioned fall scores are an early measure before months of spring instruction.

Ford outlined the district's response to House Bill 33 as four "buckets": the third-grade reading guarantee and continuation beyond third grade, high-dosage tutoring, the literacy resource requirement, and science-of-reading professional development for K
2 staff. She said the district has emphasized Tier 1 instruction and targeted interventions while planning for expanded professional learning next year.

On curriculum selection, Ford described a multistage, stakeholder-driven process that began in December 2023. A primary review team of about 60 district representatives evaluated state-approved resources, identified four finalists, and narrowed them to two for classroom pilots: Wit & Wisdom and Benchmark Advance. Selected pilot teachers from each elementary building will teach with each resource for eight weeks and provide feedback via surveys, meetings and observations. Nonpilot teachers can view materials and submit feedback digitally. The district plans to gather input from teachers, principals, literacy specialists and the continuous improvement parent committee before making a recommendation to the board.

Board discussion focused on implementation and student grouping. Board member Kevin O'Brien asked how the district advances students who begin the year already scoring at the highest fall level; Kenny and Superintendent Meyer said literacy and gifted specialists, plus differentiated planning, provide enrichment so those students continue to grow. Board member Dr. Dabrico praised the thorough vetting and said the process reflected careful collaboration among educators.

The district said it will present a formal recommendation to the board after completing the pilot and analyzing feedback; a timetable was described but a firm board action date was not specified during the presentation.

Ending: District staff asked for continued participation from teachers and parents during the pilot and promised a final recommendation to the board following the feedback and review process.