Savannah‑Chatham committee hears district literacy update; officials cite LETRS rollout, new screeners and midyear gains

The Savannah‑Chatham County Academic Excellence Committee received a detailed literacy update March 19 from district staff outlining state requirements, teacher training and early assessment results as the district implements the science of reading.

The presentation, led by Ms. Goldman, a district literacy official, summarized three state laws or proposals shaping the work, the district’s rollout of LETRS professional learning and HMH instructional materials, the state’s selection of AMIRA as a universal screener, and midyear assessment changes the district is using to track third‑grade reading. "This work is tied to our strategic priority number 1 related to students, their growth and achievement for choice filled futures," Ms. Goldman said.

Why it matters: Third‑grade reading proficiency is a central district key performance indicator and a stated predictor of later outcomes. Committee members pressed staff for clarity on how different tests and measures relate to each other, what counts as a reading deficiency, and how interventions and potential retention policy would be applied.

Most important facts

- State requirements and bills: Staff described two laws already driving the work — House Bill 538 (the Georgia Early Literacy Act) and Senate Bill 48 (the Georgia dyslexia law) — and said House Bill 307, which would consolidate those requirements, was pending in the legislature. Ms. Goldman said the legislative session ends April 4 and the district is watching for final action.

- Screeners and reporting: The district confirmed the AMIRA screener was…