District staff recommend Reading Horizons Discovery for K–3 phonics; math adoption process moves forward

District instructional staff presented the selection process for K–3 phonics and K–5 math instructional materials and signaled a recommendation to adopt Reading Horizons Discovery for K–3 phonics in 2026–27.

Staff described a multi-stage review that narrowed vendors through IMRA alignment, district steering committee input, vendor demonstrations, community viewing sites and PLC recommendations. As of the March update shared with trustees, Reading Horizons Discovery had recommendations from 82 PLCs and seven community members; Amplify Phonics had recommendations from 13 PLCs and four community members. Staff said those results and alignment to the district’s instructional framework informed the recommendation.

Presenters outlined a professional‑learning and rollout plan, pilot-campus support and resources for campuses that currently use alternate phonics programs (staff cited a tailored rollout plan for Steiner Ranch, which uses Saxon Phonics). Trustees expressed support for teacher professional learning and campus visits to observe pilot implementations. The K–5 math procurement was described as following the same multi-committee process and narrowed to two finalists; staff will present a recommendation to the board in the coming weeks, with the K–3 phonics item slated for approval on consent at the next meeting if trustees concur.

District staff emphasized supports for educators during transition and the goal of aligning materials across dual-language and monolingual campuses.