Wayland schools to pilot new K-5 literacy curriculum in December

WAYLAND -- June 11, 2025, Wayland schools target December pilot in K-5 literacy curriculum overhaul. Instructional coach Sarah Sontag told the School Committee on Wednesday that a Reading Curriculum Council has narrowed the field to six state-approved programs, four available in both English and Spanish, with publisher visits in September, site visits in October and classroom piloting set for December. Sontag said Wayland is strong on Heggerty and Fundations but lacks a consistent "knowledge-building" piece in grades 3-5, citing research that vocabulary and background knowledge are "the most important factor" in comprehension. A pending PRISM 3 state grant could cover roughly 50 percent of curriculum purchase costs, with full implementation targeted for 2026-27. The committee also unanimously reappointed Erin Gibbons as chair, elected Aaron Muller vice chair, and approved a revised charge restructuring the finance subcommittee as an as-needed working group. An RFP for the new pre-K-8 facilities master plan goes out by the end of June.