The adoption of the new ELA curriculum was a key highlight of the meeting. The committee approved Savas’s “My View” and “My Perspectives” programs for grades K-8 after an extensive pilot process. This decision was reached after evaluating several programs, with Savas ultimately selected for its alignment with state standards and emphasis on the science of reading. The chosen curriculum is expected to provide systematic and explicit instruction, crucial for students struggling with reading, such as those with dyslexia or English language learners. The implementation strategy is designed to be flexible, allowing educators to incorporate whole novels into the curriculum, an approach supported by committee members who emphasized the importance of complete texts in fostering a love of reading.

The program’s adoption comes with the promise of professional development for educators and efforts to engage families in understanding the instructional materials. Concerns about the program’s reliance on excerpts were addressed, with assurances that it allows for the integration of full texts where appropriate.

Alongside the literacy focus, the committee addressed issues related to special education. Middleborough has been identified by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as needing assistance, based on a scoring matrix that evaluated compliance and educational outcomes for students with disabilities. With a score of 27 out of 41 points, the district received a 66% success rate, highlighting areas needing improvement, particularly in non-compliance findings and graduation rates for students with disabilities, which fell below the target at 74%.

The committee discussed strategies to address these challenges, including maintaining current funding levels and participating in technical assistance programs. The district’s action plan aims to improve reading instruction consistency and includes the introduction of an ELA program embedding principles of the science of reading. The plan, in development with vendor Sped Strategies, is due for submission to the DESE by late March to early April.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of addressing the district’s compliance issues, with a focus on improving educational environments and ensuring students with disabilities are adequately supported. The district achieved full points for correcting past non-compliance findings within a year. However, challenges remain in reading proficiency and the availability of Orton-Gillingham certified instructors, which are critical for supporting students with learning difficulties.

Additionally, the committee discussed curriculum updates and innovative pathways for students, including the reintroduction of world history and the expansion of an international relations and diplomacy class to grade 10. Changes in the science and engineering curricula were noted, with the introduction of a new Robotics 2 class and a course on the Principles of AI. The district’s innovative pathway program for ninth and tenth graders continues to expand, offering students practical learning experiences integrated with early college initiatives.

The meeting concluded with the approval of various policies and protocols, including updates to school ceremonies, religious holiday observances, and the use of animals in schools. Financial matters included the approval of two grants aimed at supporting educational initiatives.