Literacy Goals and Priorities
District Grade Band Goals
K-5 Goal Statement
The goal for elementary ELA is to ensure that all students have a strong foundation in literacy by aligning curriculum with state standards, enhancing instruction with targeted small group interventions, and fostering ongoing professional development. By creating consistent transition systems, integrating structured literacy across all content areas, and building strong community partnerships, we will create an inclusive, data-driven approach that meets the diverse needs of all students. These efforts will maximize literacy achievement and ensure all students are prepared for future academic success.
6-8 Goal Statement
The goal for grades 6-8 ELA is to establish a cohesive and structured literacy program that ensures all students are provided with consistent, evidence-based instruction, targeted interventions, and enrichment opportunities. By revising course frameworks, integrating structured literacy across all ELA courses, implementing data-driven assessments, and strengthening professional development, we aim to create a well-aligned system that meets the diverse needs of middle school students. Additionally, by enhancing leadership support through literacy coaches and specialists, improving transitions between grade levels, and fostering stronger community partnerships, we will ensure students are well-prepared for high school and beyond.
9-12 Goal Statement
The goal for grades 9-12 ELA is to establish a comprehensive, cohesive, and strategically aligned literacy program that ensures consistency in instructional practices, maximizes student success, and integrates literacy across disciplines. This program will focus on refining curriculum development, creating robust assessments, supporting small group instruction, enhancing professional development, and fostering community partnerships. It will also address the needs of all learners, ensuring that literacy instruction aligns with state standards, best practices, and the goal of preparing students for college and career readiness.
District Literacy Priorities
1. Curriculum Alignment and Development
Rationale: Ensures consistent teaching practices and clarity for educators by aligning instructional goals across all grades.
Measure of Success: All courses will have curriculum created using the Understanding by Design Framework, approved by the School Board, and posted on Atlas.
2. Integration of Structured Literacy
Rationale: Provides consistent, evidence-based literacy instruction.
Measure of Success: Consistent and effective literacy instruction in all courses as evidenced through walk-through observations/data and an increase in student scores.
3. Benchmark Assessments and Data-Driven Instruction
Rationale: Uses data to adjust instruction and track student progress.
Measure of Success: Increase student scores in universal screeners and PSSA/Keystone.
4. Small Group Instruction and Intervention
Rationale: Target diverse student learning needs through personalized instruction to increase understanding and achievement.
Measure of Success: Increase in growth and achievement scores on student assessments.
5. Professional Development for ELA Instruction
Rationale: Strengthen professional development in elements of structured literacy and best practices to build knowledge, understanding and application to instructional practices in the classroom.
Measure of Success: Consistent and effective literacy instruction in all courses as evidenced through walk-through observations/data and an increase in student scores.
6. Literacy Leadership and Sustainability
Rationale: Create Building Literacy Teams to collaborate and support teachers in instruction and to analyze data to monitor growth and improvement in student outcomes.
Measure of Success: Consistent meetings with collaborative problem-solving and communication as illustrated in improves student outcomes.
7. Transition Plans Between Grades ES, MS HS
Rationale: Implement a system for consistent transitions between grades and buildings to provide instructional continuity in new learning environments.
Measure of Success: Student performance will maintain a consistent level.
8. Integration of Literacy Across All Subjects:
Rationale: Literacy skills of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and research are used to learn across all content areas. These skills provide students will effective communication, learning and presentation skills to enhance learning content.
Measure of Success: Student performance across all courses will increase in complexity, growth, and achievement.
9. Community Engagement and Partnerships:
Rationale: Builds community support to enhance literacy efforts.
Measure of Success: Increased community involvement in literacy education.