Seattle School District No. 1 board weighs adopting new K–5 ELA curriculum amid questions on contract length, Spanish pilot and training

At a special meeting called to order at 4:31 p.m., the Seattle School District No. 1 board reviewed a recommendation to adopt a new kindergarten-through-fifth-grade English language arts curriculum that the district's instructional adoption committee has endorsed.

Board President Toph introduced the item as a districtwide decision that will touch every K—5 classroom and carries a significant financial commitment. Mike Storoski, assistant superintendent of academics, told directors the committee—s recommendation is evidence-based and aligns to the science of reading and to state requirements, and that the process followed board policies 0030 (educational and racial equity) and 2015 (selection and adoption of instructional materials).

"Currently right now for our students, approximately 60% of our students in Seattle Public Schools are at or above grade level in reading in elementary," Storoski said, adding that the district needs to improve those results and that the recommended curriculum embeds teacher supports and progress monitoring.

Directors asked detailed questions about the selection process and implementation. Vice President Briggs said he remained concerned about how new the recommended curriculum is and about the…