St. Bernard Parish reports literacy gains, outlines third-grade promotion process under Act 438

St. Bernard Parish literacy staff reported measurable growth across kindergarten through third grade and described how the state-mandated screening and exemption rules will affect promotion for third graders.

Dr. Saltimaccio, the district literacy supervisor, told the committee that the district uses the state‑approved DIBELS 8 screener three times a year (fall, winter and spring) and that screening is typically done in August, December and April. "This year, our kindergarteners at the end of year screener scored 67 percent on or above level," Dr. Saltimaccio said. He reported 77 percent for first grade, 68 percent for second grade and 69 percent for third grade overall, and he noted separate percentages for students receiving special education services and students identified as limited English proficient (LEP).

The presentation placed those numbers in the context of Act 438, which requires that third‑grade students who score in the lowest achievement level on the literacy screener be reassessed up to three times and may be subject to retention unless they meet a "good cause" exemption. "If they scored well below, we're reassessing this week" and will follow the state timeline for reassessments and summer remediation, Dr. Saltimaccio said, adding that about 96 third graders scored in the well‑below category and roughly half of those (about 47 students) were being reassessed because the other half had documentation for good‑cause exemptions.

The committee heard details of the district's good‑cause exemptions as described by staff: documented dyslexia or medical diagnoses, students new to the country within the last two years, students with an IEP or a Section 504 plan for whom the screener is not appropriate (for example, some LEAP Connect students), students previously retained multiple times, and students with documented intensive intervention for two years who achieved mastery on LEAP. Dr. Saltimaccio said the district will not retain students who meet those exemptions and that students who later score mastery or above on the LEAP test can also be promoted.

Board members and other officials praised the district's literacy team for the year‑to‑year and cohort growth. The presentation credited implementation of scripted intervention programs in the district's schools as a key factor. Dr. Saltimaccio gave cohort growth examples: kindergarten cohorts rising from 35 to 67 percent on or above level over the year, first graders from 55 to 77 percent, and second graders from 56 to 68 percent.

The committee also discussed timelines: students scoring "well below" will be reassessed at the end of the week (staff noted an April assessment cycle followed by one in mid‑May), and those who remain at the lowest level will receive summer remediation and be reassessed at the end of the summer program. Officials said the district documents interventions for students in intensive reading programs to ensure accurate consideration for exemptions.

District staff emphasized that the literacy work is a team effort involving literacy coaches, classroom teachers and administrators and said they expect to see growth reflected in future LEAP and ACT results as the cohort advances.

The committee did not take a separate formal vote on the literacy presentation; the item was informational and followed by board comments and questions.