Board endorses Wilson for middle-school intervention; staff to stop adding new Take Flight groups

The Board of Education approved a shift in middle-school reading interventions on April 27, 2026, moving toward Wilson-based interventions for students reading two or more grade levels behind. Dr. Holly Putnam Jackson framed the change as aligning district practice with Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) guidance and the state's evidence-based program list: Reading 180 and Wilson are on the approved list while Take Flight is not.

Dr. Putnam Jackson said the district submitted data supporting Reading Horizons and that Take Flight—though used with some success locally—lacks the broader evidence base required by the state. Board members asked about costs and training timelines; Putnam Jackson said Wilson has a shorter initial training (three days) while Take Flight's certification can take multiple years. The board approved the staff recommendation 6–0 to transition new elementary groups to Wilson and keep existing Take Flight groups in place while the district phases in Wilson where appropriate.