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Marana Unified to pilot middle-school literacy study with American Institutes for Research
Summary
The board approved a two-year, grant-funded pilot with the American Institutes for Research to study the Third Quest literacy program for sixth- and seventh-graders at eight district schools; participation requires active parent consent and student data will be de-identified.
The Marana Unified School District will partner with the American Institutes for Research (AIR) to pilot a middle-level literacy research study using the Third Quest program, the board approved.
District staff explained the pilot would run in the 2026–2027 school year across eight schools (a lottery will select half of those schools in year one), with AIR conducting assessments and providing training. Materials and technology used during the two-year study would become district property. The district said it secured U.S. Department of Education grant funding to support the study and that AIR’s study team would complete background checks and work under school staff supervision.
Board members asked about the program’s scope and why the study initially focuses on sixth and seventh grades. Administration said Third Quest is available through higher grades but the district chose a middle-school pilot to test implementation and motivation effects among 12– and 13-year-olds; the district cited the need for a more comprehensive approach at middle levels because literacy supports at that stage are more distributed across classes.
Officials emphasized that parents must sign active consent and that personally identifiable student data would be de-identified for the research. The board moved to approve the memorandum of understanding with AIR; the motion carried.
