District 90 is in the process of revising the literacy curriculum, and Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Alison Hawley's resignation is effective June 2024.  Student reading performance has declined across all demographics, and the achievement gap between racial / economic groups has increased. 

Dr. Hawley continues to push an approach called Balanced Literacy and a curriculum known as Lucy Calkins “Units of Study”.   This approach and curriculum have been discredited and banned across the country, including by the State of Illinois Department of Education. 

Since Dr. Hawley’s arrival, “Educational Excellence” is no longer a stated goal, and Dr. Hawley’s unrelenting support of the approach is detrimental to student literacy success.

Signatures here are in support of formally and immediately removing Dr. Alison Hawley from the literacy curriculum replacement process underway in River Forest District 90.  

Furthermore, signatures here request the board of education and administration prohibit Dr. Hawley’s involvement in the selection or orientation of her replacement. 

Residents of River Forest look to the board of education for community representation.  Signatures here request board consideration of two specific requests, and public communication of the board decisions on these requests.