“The topic of reading instruction and literacy instruction is a difficult one. It feels a bit like the emperor has no clothes…” – Highline Parent, Lauren Schmidt, September 3
[UPDATED: Highline District’s response has been added. Original article was published Sept 4.]
On September 3, Highline Public Schools offered parents two conflicting narratives about literacy. Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran showed a welcome-back video celebrating his first-grader’s love of reading as a Highline student, while parent Lauren Schmidt announced to the board that she had filed a formal complaint charging that the district’s K–5 curriculum is leaving most children behind.
In his message, Duran reflected on his son’s excitement for books and tied the story to his vision of equity and belonging across the district. The district also released this brief video on September 3:
But Schmidt, whose first-grader is the same age as Duran’s child, sees a different reality. Her K–5 ELA Instructional Materials Complaint argues that the district’s ARC Core reading program relies on outdated practices like three-cueing (guessing words from pictures) and memorization of long sight-word lists. The complaint points to Minnesota and Colorado state reviews that deemed ARC Core “not recommended” or “should not be used”.
Lauren Schmidt speaking to the Highline School Board on September 3, 2025 (Two-minute HighlineSchools.org vimeo livestream):
During her remarks, Schmidt urged parents and educators who are aware of this issue to please speak up “if we want to see the change our kids deserve.”
She reminded the board that families rely on them to hold the district accountable, asserting that almost all children have the capacity to learn how to read.
The contrast is jarring: the superintendent’s child thriving under a system that, according to Schmidt, is failing many others.
“We know better, now we must do better,” Schmidt wrote. “Continuing to use materials and methods that are known to be ineffective and may even harm some kids is simply not acceptable.”
Districtwide Struggles
The district’s own data shows that only 33.2% of Highline students meet grade-level standards in English Language Arts (ELA). That means two out of three students are behind—a crisis that looms large in a critical election year.
Three of the board’s five seats will be decided in November. Two long-serving members, Joe Van and Angelica Alvarez, together bring a quarter-century of influence over a period of persistently weak academic results. Outcomes have declined even by the district’s own measures.
The third contested seat is held by newly appointed Director Dr. Damarys Espinoza who seems closely aligned with the board majority that selected her. With three seats in play, the election could reshape the board’s approach to academics, spending, and accountability.
What Comes Next
Highline’s Instructional Materials Committee must review Schmidt’s complaint and provide a written decision. She has called for transparency and an action plan to replace ineffective practices.
Whether the district embraces her concerns—or doubles down on the superintendent’s vision—will be closely watched by families, educators, and voters.
UPDATED: District Response
Burien.News reached out to Highline Public Schools for comment. Here is a response from Tove Tupper, Highline’s Chief Communications Officer.
“Ms. Schmidt submitted a complaint to our Instructional Materials Committee regarding the ARC Core literacy curriculum used in our elementary schools. It is not accurate to describe it as filing a lawsuit.
“Reading and writing are foundational to student success in every subject and grade. Highline’s literacy approach is grounded in decades of research, known as the science of reading, on how children learn to read and write. We look forward to better understanding the concerns shared through the complaint and to continuing to refine and strengthen literacy instruction across Highline.
“The Instructional Materials Committee will review the complaint in detail over the next several weeks and issue a decision in line with board policy 2020 and procedure 2020. More information about the curriculum and how we teach literacy in elementary school is available on our website: How We Teach Reading in Highline.
“Thanks.”
Full Complaint
The Full Complaint, including a filer Contact form, is also posted online.
On page 4 of 26, Ms. Schmidt wrote, “If you would like to submit a statement in support of this complaint, please fill out this form.” [You must be on Google site page to link to the form.]
