District 25 deputy superintendent lays out priorities on reading, math, arts and attendance

The deputy superintendent for New York City Geographic District 25 delivered a report to the district parent advisory council on April evening outlining draft District Comprehensive Education Plan goals for next school year, focusing on reading proficiency, supports for English‑language learners, implementation of Amplify Math in middle schools, expansion of social‑emotional learning and a push to lower chronic absenteeism.

The plan centers first on “strengthening instruction inside of our classrooms” by using foundational programs Heggerty and the HMH curriculum and by monitoring results from I‑Ready diagnostics, the deputy superintendent said. He reported mid‑year I‑Ready results showing about 48% of students at or above grade level districtwide, and 62.4% when students identified as English learners are removed from the calculation. He attributed some gains to use of decodable texts and phonics instruction and said the district is working to move students from decoding to comprehension of more complex texts.

“Now what we paid attention to quite significantly this year was around building those decoding skills of our ELs,” the deputy superintendent said, adding that the district will refine…