In 2023, Central Elementary School, part of Tuscaloosa City Schools, was named a “Science of Reading Spotlight School” by the Alabama Department of Education—a recognition bestowed on just 12 schools in Alabama each year. This is an exceptional accomplishment for a district where just 15% of its kindergarten students were proficient in reading during fall 2021.
In 2018, the school’s test scores caused it to be deemed a “full support school.” Educators needed to get more students reading successfully by third grade. This is a requirement of Alabama’s Literacy Act.
They turned to the Lexia® LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Suite. Working with a representative from Lexia®, school leaders scheduled several professional training sessions. And on the days specific teachers had training, they could either come to the school or do the virtual training from home. Once the initial cohort of four teachers completed the program, they served as a support team for other instructors.
Because the principal first took Lexia® LETRS® for Administrators, and then took LETRS for Educators with the first cohort, he was able to "talk the talk" with educators. This has resulted in 100% buy-in.
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