Board recognizes 45 teachers for LETRS training impact on early literacy

The Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education convened on April 14, 2025, to discuss various agenda items, including student achievements and curriculum updates. The meeting began with a light-hearted interaction between board members and a fifth-grade student, who shared excitement about transitioning to middle school and expressed interest in theater.

Following this, the board moved to approve the minutes from the previous meeting held on March 10, 2025, which was unanimously accepted.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to recognizing the achievements of teachers who participated in the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training program. Miss Sineas highlighted the positive impact of this professional development on early childhood education, noting a substantial decrease in the number of students scoring below the 40th percentile in reading assessments. Over the past two years, the number of struggling students has dropped by 840, with an additional 425 students showing improvement this year alone.

Miss Sineas acknowledged the dedication of the 45 teachers who completed the LETRS training from cohorts 3 and 4, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing their skills for the benefit of their students. She mentioned that future training opportunities would depend on legislative decisions regarding funding and resources, indicating potential changes in how professional development might be structured moving forward.

The meeting concluded with the recognition of the participating teachers, who were invited to receive their certificates and take a group photo, celebrating their contributions to improving literacy education in the district. The board's discussions underscored a commitment to educational excellence and the importance of ongoing professional development for teachers.