Midland Public Schools is taking a student-focused approach to literacy. State law requires districts implement evidence-based reading instruction by the 2027-2028 school year.
Midland's kindergarten through fifth grade will learn from one of two new literacy curriculums focused on the science of reading.
"We want to make sure we're doing what's best for our students," said Katie Guyer, the Director of Communications for Midland Public Schools.
Guyger said she hopes the curriculums will "improve reading scores," and "make kids really have a lifelong love of learning."
The pilot programs will serve more than 1,000 students across the district.
The state is currently facing a literacy crisis in early education, as reading scores still sit below pre-pandemic levels.
According to Bridge Michigan, only 38.2% of third grade students in Michigan are proficient in English Language Arts. That data comes from the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress or M-STEP.
The school district will assess the two curriculums for six months and recommend one of them in March.
The more effective curriculum will go into effect starting in the 2027 school year.
