Peoria Unified to Enhance Teaching at Lake Pleasant Elementary with Beyond Textbooks Program

The Peoria Unified Governing Board convened on August 28, 2025, to discuss a significant intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Vail School District, aimed at enhancing educational resources for Lake Pleasant Elementary School. This agreement will grant teachers access to the Beyond Textbooks platform for the 2025-2026 school year, a tool designed to support instructional planning aligned with Arizona state standards.

During the meeting, key updates to the IGA were presented, emphasizing the importance of clarity and alignment with Peoria Unified's mission and values. Principal Aaron Bagwell of Lake Pleasant Elementary highlighted the school's commitment to academic excellence and continuous improvement, aiming to become the top elementary school in Arizona. He credited the success of the school to the dedication of its teachers and the support of the community.

The presentation included insights from Dale Shuff, an executive director for elementary education, and Richard O'Neil, the program evaluator for Peoria Unified. O'Neil shared findings from a recent evaluation of the Beyond Textbooks program, which indicated positive outcomes for both teachers and students. Surveys conducted at the beginning and end of the school year showed a significant increase in teachers' confidence in using the platform for lesson planning and assessment development.

Notably, the evaluation revealed that classrooms utilizing Beyond Textbooks in math achieved a 5.2 percentage point increase in performance compared to those that did not use the program. While English Language Arts (ELA) showed a smaller increase of 1.2%, it did not reach statistical significance. O'Neil emphasized the importance of these findings, noting that the program has the potential to enhance teacher effectiveness and improve student outcomes.

The discussions at the meeting underscored the district's commitment to providing quality education and resources to its schools. As the Peoria Unified Governing Board moves forward with the IGA, the focus remains on fostering an environment that supports both teachers and students in achieving academic success. The next steps will involve implementing the agreement and monitoring its impact on educational outcomes at Lake Pleasant Elementary.