The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) board of directors has approved an update to the more than 10-year-old middle school reading materials at their most recent meeting. Reading proficiency at the school has not been as high as the school board and language instructors would like them to be. The Reading Professional Learning Community (PLC) identified a new program to increase reading scores and continually improve teacher performance. Dean of Students, Cory Heiman, presented a proposal for Code X from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to address those concerns at just under $44,000.
CMS students’ scores in science fall well above the state averages, and instructors indicated the less-than-expected reading scores might be a result of material rather than ability. Principal, Jerry Raymond, sees that in practice through standardized tests.
The Reading PLC promoted the new Code X material as way to increase student engagement in subjects they may not find interesting. At over $40,000, the board expressed concerns at the cost, but Superintendent, Rob Cordes, says their focus is the students.
The board voted unanimously to purchase the Code X reading textbooks. The materials will enter CMS reading curriculum in the 2017-18 school year.
