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District staff report positive early feedback on HMH "Into Literature" pilot for middle grades
Summary
Staff and teachers reported largely positive early feedback from a pilot of HMH’s Into Literature for grades 6–8; the committee discussed differentiation, full‑text access, independent reading and alignment of assessments before deciding to continue piloting and consider wider adoption next year.
District instructional staff presented an update on the HMH Into Literature pilot for middle grades, describing largely positive feedback from teachers and outlining next steps for expansion and alignment.
Melissa Bader, department head at the high school, led part of the update and said the pilot is receiving positive feedback: “Overall, this is getting really positive feedback from teachers,” she said. Staff described how units allow teacher choice while providing structured lesson plans, differentiation options and embedded assessment resources.
A curriculum presenter noted that HMH grounds elements of literacy in recognized frameworks — including alignment to components of the Scarborough reading rope and the National Reading Panel’s pillars — and that the program is listed in research summaries (ESSA/Federal clearinghouse references were noted). The committee discussed concerns and implementation details, including ensuring students access full‑length texts, expanding classroom libraries, creating consistent districtwide assessment choices and preserving independent reading time.
Committee members asked how differentiation will work in leveled versus heterogeneous classes and whether performance tasks will be scaffolded with explicit writing instruction. Staff said teachers will make coordinated choices about units and assessments so students receive similar experiences and measurable assessments across schools.
Next steps: staff will continue the pilot in current classrooms, prepare materials and budgets to support broader use next year, and bring research summaries and proposed assessment alignment to the committee for review. STEM coordinators are scheduled to present at the next meeting and staff plan to share a proposed curriculum handbook and revision cycle later in the year.
