District staff recommend Magnetic Literacy as new elementary reading curriculum

Dr. Hopkins briefed the Ames Community School District board on a two‑year review of elementary literacy that concluded with a staff recommendation to adopt Magnetic Literacy as the district’s K–6 curriculum.

Dr. Hopkins said the review followed the district’s seven‑year review cycle, applied rubrics including guidance from the Reading League, and included pilots of Benchmark Advance, 95% Group and Magnetic Literacy. He told the board the district’s four‑year district‑average achievement on reading measures “hovers somewhere between 64% and 73%,” short of an 80% benchmark cited as a target for core instruction, and that growth among students identified as persistently at risk has averaged about 25–28% versus a 65% state target.

“High‑quality instructional materials are a very key part of accomplishing what we’re working to do as a system,” Dr. Hopkins said, explaining why the review emphasized materials that integrate foundational skills and language comprehension. He said teacher practitioners who would use the materials in their classrooms formed the voting cohort for pilot decisions and that the group used a 70% minimum standard for recommendations.

Teachers who piloted Magnetic Literacy described improvements in engagement and writing and said the curriculum weaves phonics, vocabulary and content knowledge into daily lessons. Kindergarten teacher Carrian Fischer said that after one unit “every student in my class was able to write an opinion piece,” and second‑grade teacher Angela Mont said pilot lessons generated high levels of student collaboration and interest in topics such as national parks.

Dr. Hopkins presented a five‑year quote that he said would provide teacher hard‑copy texts, student consumables, trade books and digital student access for $72,686.35; professional learning support beyond an initial year of implementation was quoted separately. He said the district plans a public website with sample units and a feedback form and will return to the board with community feedback ahead of a May 4 vote.

Board members asked about whether the Magnetic Literacy diagnostic would become the district’s default screener, how pilot feedback from students had been collected and whether the cost could be borne without diverting funds from other priorities. Dr. Hopkins said the district’s teams would continue to meet to finalize assessment choices and implementation planning and that some funding could come from existing curriculum and federal/title allocations.

The presentation did not include a board vote; Dr. Hopkins said staff will report public feedback and recommended contract details at the next meeting before the board considers adoption.