SCCPSS Literacy Plan
The Literacy Plan: Its Place Within the District's Strategic Plan
Within the current SCCPSS Strategic Plan, three of the performance objectives of Strategic Priority 1: Student Growth and Achievement for Choice-Filled Futures incorporate strategies and tactics for addressing literacy skills. Among those strategies is the specific call for the implementation of a comprehensive Literacy Plan based on the Science of Reading.
The Mission of the Literacy Plan
To create the conditions in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System such that:
- Every child becomes a proficient reader.
- Evey educator has the pedagogical knowledge and instructional tools to help every student become a proficient reader; and
- Families and the community are partners in helping every student become a proficient reader.
The Structure of the Literacy Plan
Ilk, M., Whitney, A., & Moats, L. (2022). Lexia LETRS Administrators. Lexia.
The construct of the SCCPSS Literacy Plan is that of a Universal System for Literacy because the transformation and success sought requires the systematic development and coordination of multiple, interdependent components. As strengths and weaknesses of each component are identified, systems and supports, which may look different across schools, roles of responsibility, or grade bands, can be put in place. Those systems and supports require constant monitoring to drive the overall plan’s refinement until the entire initiative is fully operationalized. Then focus can shift from implementation to sustainability. Throughout this process, there must be organizational alignment on the purpose, the mission, and the execution of the key actions to ensure success.
The essential components of our Universal System for Literacy include:
Leadership
There is focused, cohesive leadership around literacy goals on both the district and school level.
Professional Development
Educators receive comprehensive professional learning and coaching on best-practices for literacy instruction rooted in the Science of Reading.
Universal Literacy Instruction
Educators possess and properly utilize the standards-aligned, research-based curricula and instructional resources required for all students to experience and benefit from effective Tier 1 (grade-level) literacy instruction.
Assessment
Valid, reliable screeners and assessment tools are used to identify student levels of proficiency, guide instruction, and identify reading difficulties or characteristics of dyslexia.
Data-Based Decision Making
Discussions about quantitative and qualitative student data occur on a regular basis on both the district and site-based levels for the purpose of improving literacy instruction and intervention, and therefore, student achievement.
Literacy Intervention Instruction
Appropriate interventions are provided to meet the needs of students who have gaps with grade-level expectations.
Community/ Family Involvement
Families and community members actively participate in the academic development and success of students.