At its August 26 meeting, the New Haven Board of Education voted 7‑0 to approve a $656,299 purchase order for Curriculum Associates’ i‑Ready online math program for grades PreK‑8. The decision extends a six‑year partnership that has made i‑Ready the district’s core math curriculum platform.
Union raises screen‑time and privacy questions
Teachers union President Leslie Blatteau opened the discussion by asking the board to assess how much time New Haven’s PreK‑12 students spend in front of screens during the school day. She cited recent news that parents in California are suing Curriculum Associates over alleged collection and sharing of student data without proper parental consent.
Blatteau emphasized that the contract’s cost—more than half a million dollars—comes at a time when the district is operating on a “tight budget.” While acknowledging the instructional value of digital tools, she warned that students are increasingly exposed to multiple online programs, including Lexia and Read180, which add to overall screen exposure.
Board and administration response
Superintendent Madeline Negrón confirmed awareness of the data‑privacy concerns and said she has spoken directly with a Curriculum Associates representative, who assured the district that the alleged breach does not involve Connecticut schools. Negrón also agreed that the district should continue to monitor screen time and its effects on student development.
Mayor Justin Elicker, who also serves on the board, echoed the need for balance. “My kids use i‑Ready and they enjoy it, and I think they get something out of it, but it’s worth it to have the conversation,” he said.
Calls for future evaluation
Following the vote, board members Andrea Downer and Matt Wilcox raised questions about the program’s efficacy during a Finance and Operations Committee meeting. Downer suggested the district consider alternative math curricula in the future to boost proficiency growth, while Math Supervisor Monica Joyner highlighted the positive impact i‑Ready has had on student outcomes.
Blatteau concluded her remarks by sharing a ten‑point improvement plan from the American Federation of Teachers, which recommends limiting screen use for Pre‑K through second grade unless a compelling educational need exists. She invited parents to ask school leaders about daily computer usage and report findings at future board meetings.
Community context
The union also praised the city’s new free and low‑cost after‑school programming, describing it as a practical strategy to meet family needs and reduce reliance on screens outside school hours.
With the contract now approved, New Haven will move forward with i‑Ready while continuing to evaluate technology use, data privacy, and the overall balance between digital instruction and traditional classroom learning.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
