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Board approves summer-reading remediation, Title I summer program and flexibility waiver under new iRead rules
Summary
The board approved a flexibility waiver, Title I summer reading at two elementary schools and a new summer reading remediation program to comply with updated state iRead rules; staff requested up to 25 remediation positions and said the program will include students with IEPs and ELL students.
The Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees on Feb. 24 approved a local flexibility waiver, Title I summer reading programs and a newly required summer reading remediation plan tied to changes in state iRead policy.
Doctor Treller, who presented the curriculum items, said the district will again request a flexibility waiver that permits use of up to three of the 180 required school days for collaborative professional development. "We've always applied for 3 days, but we've only used 2 the last 2 years," Treller said; the board approved the waiver as presented.
Treller also asked the board to approve Title I summer reading programs at Huntertown and Arcola elementaries and to authorize a separate summer reading remediation program the state now requires for second graders identified as at risk and for third graders who do not pass iRead. The Title I program will serve pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade; the new remediation program will focus on second graders at risk and third graders who fail iRead.
Treller told the board staff is requesting authorization to post up to 25 remediation positions because the district will not know exact demand until test results are returned. The district plans to staff remediation classes with two certified teachers team-teaching roughly 20 to 25 students per class and to house the summer remediation at Aspen Meadow to centralize transportation. Treller said the program will include English-language learners and students with individualized education programs. "It includes everyone," Treller said when asked whether students with IEPs would be served.
On testing and retesting, Treller said the state now allows a May retest and then a final retest after summer remediation. The district explained that some students qualify for a "good cause" exemption (for example, certain IEPs or recent arrival ELL students) but that new requirements also mean students who get an exemption will continue to retest through sixth grade until they pass. Treller said students who do not pass after the required retests can be retained in third grade under current state rules.
The board approved the flexibility waiver, the Title I summer program and the summer remediation program as presented. Motions were moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records board assent but does not include a roll-call tally.
