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Council withdraws disapproval resolution on Curriculum Associates (i-Ready) after extended debate
Summary
Councilmember Henderson introduced, then withdrew, a disapproval resolution challenging DCPS’s contract with Curriculum Associates (i-Ready) after members raised concerns about student screen time, data privacy, and lack of clear evidence of effectiveness; the chancellor’s June 6 letter commits DCPS to guidance and monitoring and a fall hearing.
Chair Phil Mendelson presided over a lengthy June legislative meeting discussion after Councilmember Brian Henderson moved a disapproval resolution for proposed contract GHGA2026C0049 with Curriculum Associates, the maker of i-Ready.
Henderson said her office had "received countless calls and emails from families, educators, State Board of Education members frustrated by the use of AI, by the use of I Ready in classrooms and concerned about the growing reliance of gamified learning in our curriculum," and cited litigation and unclear evidence of the platform’s effectiveness. She presented usage figures, noting DCPS recommends 30–45 minutes per week but that many schools exceed those limits.
Several council members expressed mixed views. Councilmember Louis Strugge said the conversation had raised important concerns about screen time and transparency for parents. Councilmember Jane Allen, speaking as a parent and former educator, warned that abruptly canceling a contract in late spring could leave schools without tools for fall and urged more sensible contract timing. Councilmember Robert White urged close oversight and said DCPS had committed to reevaluate the contract for the coming year.
Chair Mendelson read from a June 6 letter from the chancellor that outlined steps DCPS will take: "DCPS is taking several steps to respond to families' feedback on students' screen time," including grade-level guidance on technology use, shorter diagnostic assessments starting next year, closer monitoring of i-Ready usage, providing approved alternatives for teachers before the new year, issuing guidance on out-of-school usage, and offering a parent university. Mendelson said the council will hold a fall hearing on technology in schools that will include review of the i-Ready contract.
After the discussion Henderson withdrew the resolution but emphasized the issue would return for further oversight or possible legislation: "I withdraw," she said, adding that withdrawing the item "does not end the conversation." Chair Mendelson confirmed the measure was withdrawn.
What happens next: The council did not vote to disapprove the contract. Instead, it secured commitments from DCPS leadership to provide new guidance and monitoring and scheduled further scrutiny at a fall hearing.
