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Community group urges district to adopt stronger PLC practices after low third-grade reading scores
Summary
A community education committee urged Rockford SD 205 to implement 'PLC at work' practices to address learning gaps after the pandemic, citing district data showing 16.1% third-grade reading proficiency on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness.
Nina Giannagoli, a Rockford resident and member of the Eliminate Racism A15 education committee, urged the board to evaluate how the district is implementing professional learning communities and to strengthen those practices to close learning gaps.
"Only 16.1% of Rockford Public School 205 third graders are proficient in reading," Giannagoli said, citing Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) results. She described the "PLC at work" approach advocated by Dr. Anthony Muhammad and asked the board to determine whether the district's PLC work is "light or right." She called for more time, support and resources so teachers can collaborate on clear learning goals, frequent assessments and targeted support.
Giannagoli pointed to examples she said showed results: Tolleson Union High School District in Arizona (she named an Arizona district example) and a nearby school, Prairie Hill 133, which she said had higher proficiency rates. She told the board the work does not necessarily require large new spending and requested that the board report back to the committee on its findings.
The board did not make a formal motion in response during the public-comment period. The speaker asked for the district to review PLC implementation and to engage with the committee about next steps.
