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Merton outlines science review and Act 20 summer-school plans; district ramps up reading interventions
Summary
District staff described a K–8 science curriculum review with rubric-based material evaluation, rollout meetings through March, and Act 20-related summer-school planning to support students with personal reading plans beginning in 2027, plus new reading intervention staffing and professional development.
District staff told the student achievement committee on Oct. 27 that the Merton Community School District is resuming a K–8 science curriculum review and preparing to implement Act 20 requirements for students with personal reading plans.
"We looked at all relevant laws and state statutes related to science," the staff presenter said as the science committee discussed materials alignment and a rubric-based review. The committee will meet in November, January and February by grade bands, evaluate materials on a transparent rubric, and aim to bring a recommendation to the full board in March if timing permits.
On Act 20, staff summarized diagnostic changes after AIMSweb was re-normed and said the number of students flagged for personal reading plans dropped. Staff emphasized that under Act 20 the district must "offer" summer-school services for students on personal reading plans beginning in 2027; attendance cannot be required. "We can't require anybody to come, but we can need to offer it," the staff presenter said, underscoring the intent to make summer offerings more robust and instructional than previous 'fun reading' activities.
To support instruction, the district has added a specially designed reading interventionist (a dual-certified staff member) who will deliver minutes previously provided by special educators and who is also working with classroom teachers on co-teaching strategies. Staff described additional professional development, Orton-Gillingham training for intervention staff later this year, and an expanding toolbox of intervention strategies to address comprehension and literacy gaps.
The presenter said communications glitches earlier this fall left some students without active reading plans; staff are correcting those records and prioritizing the most-needy students for intensive interventions until coaching capacity returns to full strength.
The science and Act 20 workstreams are linked to the district's strategic plan and continuous-improvement action steps; staff described open educational resources and grant-funded materials as cost-saving options for adoption.
Next steps: the science review will continue through the winter and staff plan to present materials for board consideration in March; Act 20 implementation planning and summer-school curricular development will proceed with budgeting and staff training timelines under review.
