Norfork schools accepted into Waterford K–2 study; program to be free during study

The Norfork School District will participate in a three‑year study with Waterford, a nonprofit provider of early‑learning digital curriculum, the board heard.

Miss Jones told the board the district’s K–2 program was accepted into the study and the district will receive Waterford’s program for K–2 at no cost for the duration of the study. She described Waterford as a supplemental, touch‑based curriculum focused on foundational reading and math for early learners that provides diagnostics and adapts instruction to each child.

Miss Jones said participating kindergarten students will be tracked to measure growth; the district expects students to spend about 20 minutes per day on the program, which can be used as part of classroom rotations and interventions. The company will provide in‑person training for teachers, classroom visits and a parent night, she said.

Board members asked what the word “study” meant in practice; Miss Jones said it refers to measuring growth and program impact, not replacing state standards, and that the program uses interim assessments (NWEA MAPs was mentioned) to track progress. The district also discussed the recent closure of the HIT grant (final reports submitted June 30) and the possibility that some unspent funds could roll over into the next year if allowed by the state.

The board did not vote on adopting Waterford permanently; the study will allow the district to pilot the software and evaluate outcomes before making a procurement decision.