Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Ann Arbor schools present K–5 reading-curriculum pilot; recommendation due in February
Loading...
Summary
District staff reviewed a K–5 reading‑curriculum pilot comparing Bookworms and Wit & Wisdom, summarized data collection from 100 volunteer teachers across 18 schools and said a recommendation will be presented to the board in February; trustees asked for disaggregated objective outcomes and clarity on training and implementation supports.
District literacy leaders told the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board on Jan. 28 that a large K–5 reading‑curriculum pilot is nearing a recommendation phase.
Miss Linden (pilot lead) and Kristen Smith (ELA coordinator) described a yearlong process that began with a 19‑person review committee and an opt‑in pilot of 100 teachers across 18 schools. The pilot tests two research‑based curricula—Bookworms and Wit & Wisdom—alongside established foundational syllabi (Hegarty, UFLY phonics, Fundations and MorphMagic where applicable). Staff said the pilot includes learning walks, student‑work analyses, three teacher implementation surveys, diagnostic 1:1 phonics assessments, NWEA short‑interval growth measures and caregiver surveys.
The district said federal/state grant funding (35j grants) will cover adoption and professional‑learning costs if a curriculum is adopted. Kristen Smith said a data synthesis and final recommendation are expected in February, with districtwide implementation planned for the 2025‑26 school year pending board approval.
Trustees pressed for objective outcome metrics disaggregated by subgroup: Trustee Mohammed asked how the pilot will show growth by race, special‑education status and English‑learner status; presenters said NWEA growth, diagnostic phonics measures and student‑work protocols will be analyzed by demographics and included in the final report. Trustees also asked about LETRS training and implementation consistency; presenters said pilot participants were required to have completed or be enrolled in LETRS, and literacy coaches will support districtwide professional learning.
What’s next: staff will synthesize pilot data in a two‑day review with Student Achievement Partners and bring a formal recommendation to the board in February for approval consideration.
