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As literacy overhaul expands to NYC middle schools, criticized curriculum left out
By
Jessica Gould
Published Apr 21, 2025
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Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
By
Jessica Gould
Published Apr 21, 2025
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Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday the next phase of his signature literacy initiative will be extended to more than 100 middle schools, though one much-criticized curricula was notably absent.
Adams, who is dyslexic, has made improving literacy his top educational priority and championed an effort to streamline curricula in both reading and math. He said students’ persistently low test scores in reading and math – hovering around 50% – have shown that a course-change was urgently needed.
“We can’t continue to do the same things we have been always doing and expect to get better results,” he said at a press conference announcing the curriculum expansions in Brooklyn on Monday.
The administration has required phonics to be taught in early elementary school with one of three approved English Language Arts curricula: HMH Into Reading, Wit and Wisdom or Expeditionary Learning.
A majority of districts chose HMH Into Reading, but teachers and parents have complained the material is dull, relies too heavily on excerpts rather than whole books and proceeds at a pace that often leaves struggling kids behind. The education department announced some additional flexibility and coaching last fall after facing pressure from the teachers union.
Results for third through eighth graders on last year’s state tests in reading dipped a bit, though the administration said internal screeners in the earliest grades show improvements.
Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said other states and districts that overhauled how reading is taught have also shown initial dips, followed by improvements.
“We expected that,” she said. “I am confident that we are going to see increases.”
Under the expansion, 102 middle schools will be required to use the vetted literacy curricula.
The latest expansion to middle schools does not include HMH. Superintendents have been in charge of deciding which curriculum is taught in their schools. The chancellor left open the possibility that other middle schools could use HMH in the future.
Meanwhile, Adams’ math overhaul, dubbed NYC Solves, will expand to 86 additional middle schools. Superintendents must select one of three approved curricula, Illustrative Math, Amplify Desmos or IReady Mathematics.
Illustrative Math, which was required for Algebra 1 across the board this year, has also received mixed reviews. The curriculum emphasizes student discovery, often by having kids try to work out problems at the start of a lesson, followed by more direct instruction after. Some teachers have said the hands-on approach increases engagement, while others said it can be overwhelming to kids, and cause them to shut down.
Curriculum developer Bill MacCallum told Gothamist the first couple years can be a “learning process” for teachers and that many teachers who struggle at first start embracing the curriculum in the second or third years.
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new york city
education
Jessica Gould
Jessica is the education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jessica reported on the shutdown and reopening of the nation’s largest school system, highlighting the unprecedented impacts on learning, health and mental health for students, staff and families. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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