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Board adopts HMH K–6 English curriculum after multi-year review
Summary
After a two-year review, the board approved HMH Into Reading (K–5) and Into Literature (grade 6), citing alignment to state literacy goals and EdReports scores; the district will order materials, stage teacher coaching and monitor implementation.
The North Scott Community School District board approved a recommended K–6 English language arts curriculum after a lengthy, multi-year review of instructional options.
A curriculum presenter summarized the district's goals: to establish a guaranteed and viable curriculum so students receive equivalent core instruction across classrooms, to raise literacy growth and to support new and veteran teachers with structured materials and coaching. The presenter said the adoption team examined ISAS/assessment data, state literacy initiatives including the Iowa Comprehensive Literacy Plan, teacher and student feedback, and EdReports rubric results.
The team recommended two strands from HMH — Into Reading for kindergarten through grade 5 and Into Literature for grade 6 — citing strong foundational skill support, explicit knowledge building and teacher-facing implementation support. The presenter said HMH scored well on the EdReports rubric and that the district will maintain coaching, monitoring and a multi-year implementation timeline if approved.
Board members discussed trade-offs including pacing burden on teachers and the need to retain teacher agency. Presenters acknowledged that year one will be challenging for pacing and that support and coaching will be critical; the district plans planning and training sessions in April and May for a K–6 rollout and will define short- and long-term goals and monitoring mechanisms.
The board moved and seconded the recommendation and approved the K–6 adoption by voice vote. If implemented, the district will order materials, convene a K–6 team to establish critical components and monitoring measures, and provide ongoing coaching and assessments to maintain curriculum integrity.
