RISD staff recommend HMH reading and Bluebonnet/Savvas math materials after year‑long review
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Summary
After a yearlong, state‑prescribed review process with public viewings and large content committees, district staff recommended HMH Into Reading (English), Brilla/Bridal La Lectura (Spanish) for K–5 reading, Bluebonnet Learning for K–5 math, and Savvas for grades 6–8/Algebra I; board members pressed for implementation pacing and clarification about previously reported errors in RLA materials.
Kelsey Karcher, chairing the district's instructional materials central committee, told the Richardson ISD trustees the selection process followed the State Board of Education rubric set by House Bill sixteen‑five and multiple layers of professional and public review. Karcher said the elementary reading committee unanimously chose HMH Into Reading for English instruction and Bridal La Lectura for Spanish bilingual instruction, noting 100% alignment to state standards and strong digital teacher supports. "The recommendation is HMH into learning, and Bridal Lectura," she said.
On mathematics, the elementary committee recommended Bluebonnet Learning for K–5; Karcher said 14 campuses already use Bluebonnet and those campuses in year three were showing promising growth. For grades 6–8 and Algebra I, the committee recommended Savvas for its balance of conceptual and procedural work and bilingual instructional supports.
Trustees used the board discussion to press staff on sequencing and accuracy. Trustee Pacheco asked for a list of campuses already using Bluebonnet; staff said they would follow up. Trustee Harris raised concerns that had been reported in the news about errors in Bluebonnet RLA materials; district staff clarified the committee did not advance Bluebonnet RLA and that the math adoption was separate. "Those errors and the concerns ... were on the RLA side," district staff said, adding the district's curriculum team vets resources and will adjust classroom guidance if errors are found.
Staff described a staggered implementation plan to avoid overburdening teachers: adopt reading first and provide a year of professional learning before adopting math districtwide, with ordering opening May 1 to secure materials. Karcher emphasized public engagement during vendor viewings and the many classroom‑level reviewers who served on the content and central committees.
The board heard the informational presentation and asked for follow‑up details (campus lists, implementation schedules) ahead of any final certification or purchase decisions.
The board did not take a final certification vote at this meeting; staff framed the presentation as the recommendation and outlined next steps for budgeting and ordering.