We are a group of Needham Public Schools parents committed to working with NPS leadership to ensure implementation of an evidence-based literacy curriculum that will equitably help students become strong readers and writers.

The Needham Literacy Coalition is a group of parents and community members advocating for Needham Public Schools to ensure that all students have access to high-quality, research-aligned literacy instruction that is facilitated by educators who have the opportunity to engage in professional learning and ongoing support in implementing current research-based practices and equipped with materials that have been externally reviewed (reviewed by entities other than the publisher) and determined to be aligned with state standards and reflective of current research.

The NLC was formed in January 2025 to provide feedback to the Needham Public Schools in response to low English Language Arts (ELA) Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) scores, a wide achievement gap, and in light of the district’s purchase of Lucy Calkins’ Revised Units of Study and its inclusion in the literacy pilot that was scheduled to possibly come to an end in the Spring of 2025. 

The NLC objects to the use of tax-payer dollars on the updated Units of Study. The publisher provides no document that ensures the alignment of the curriculum with the MA ELA Curriculum Frameworks and there is no evidence of its alignment with the current body of literacy research often referred to as “science of reading”. The revised Units of Study have not undergone any independent review and there is no evidence that the publisher plans to submit them for review. It is the NLC’s position that it was disingenuous for the NPS Literacy Department to move ahead with a curriculum purchase without a formal review process and at the same time as it was “committed” to a curriculum pilot. 

The NLC has nearly 400 signatures from Needham community members on our petition to replace Units of Study with a knowledge-building curriculum that is aligned with MA curriculum standards and effective literacy instructional practices. We support the districts, curriculum pilot and urge the members of the pilot team to strongly consider the evidence of effectiveness and transparency that external reviews can provide. Currently, two curricula in Needham’s literacy pilot are rated “high-quality” according to MA DESE, including Fishtank Plus, which was added since the coalition was formed. 

The NLC members are committed to working collaboratively with the district to advocate for the best educational outcomes for all students in Needham. We will do everything in our power to support:

• A strong curriculum pilot and selection process with clear, research-based selection criteria, valid rating tools, and a transparent communication process.

• The allocation of resources necessary for procurement of materials and professional development.

• A curriculum implementation plan that includes high-quality professional learning and ongoing coaching so that our incredible educators get everything they need to continue to grow professionally and collaborate to ensure a positive experience in the curriculum transition.

The Needham community values education, supports our educators, and loves our children. We are committed to advocating for Needham to continue to develop as an incredible place to live and raise a family.

How You Can Help:

1. Sign our petition: Show your support for removing the Units of Study program and adopting a high-quality, DESE-approved curriculum.

2. Provide Public Comment: Attend an upcoming School Committee meeting and share your thoughts. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for: 4/1, 4/15, 5/13, 5/20, 6/3, 6/17 at 6:30 pm.

3. Email the School Committee: Send an email to school committee: schoolcommittee@needham.k12.ma.us to ask for change using this template

4. Join the Needham Literacy Coalition: Learn more or get involved by emailing NeedhamLiteracyCoalition@gmail.com or visiting our website at www.needhamliteracycoalition.org.

5. Advocate in your elementary school for your child to receive instruction in a high-quality pilot classroom (Fishtank Plus Arc). 

We are confident that, by collaborating with the administration, we can ensure that every student in NPS has access to the best possible education. Let’s work together to provide the strong literacy foundation that our children deserve.

OUR GOAL

Our goal is to help all students become strong readers and writers. By closing achievement gaps we can ensure all children receive a high quality literacy foundation to set them up for success in school and life.