Brockton Schools Report Literacy Gains but Warn of Costly Curriculum Contract Wave

BROCKTON -- June 2, 2026, Brockton's Curriculum Subcommittee hears literacy gains and looming contract costs at June 2 meeting. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Karen Spaulding reported that the share of third graders scoring well below benchmark on the DIBELS 8 screener fell from 48 percent at the start of the 2023-24 school year to 38 percent at the start of 2025-26, while the share at or above benchmark rose from 34 percent to 46 percent. Spaulding warned that major programs including Wonders, Illustrative Math, StudySync, and Carnegie Learning are all nearing the end of their contracts simultaneously, most purchased during the COVID era, telling members, "curriculum is expensive, it's a good chunk of money." Member Mr. Pina stated for the record his support for adding math and literacy coaches to every elementary school and urged the committee to reconsider the associate principal staffing model in struggling schools. With roughly 450 to 500 third graders still starting the year well below benchmark and Title I reading specialists covering groups of no more than six students at a time, Spaulding acknowledged plainly: "The need does exceed the number of reading specialists that we have."