A staff member who identified themself as the humanities coordinator at Walpole Middle School told the school committee about steps the middle school is taking to improve literacy following an MCAS review.

The coordinator said the school is focusing on four priorities: deepen comprehension through close reading and Socratic seminars, strengthen writing across genres, enhance cross-disciplinary literacy with shared vocabulary and strategies, and build critical reading skills. “MCAS is in quotes because although we strive to provide students with the skills to be successful on this high-stakes assessment, our ultimate goal is to prepare them to be literate for life in the classroom and beyond,” the humanities coordinator said.

Staff described practical changes already in place: literature circles and book clubs to allow students to read at appropriate Lexile levels; a grade 6 informational reading-and-writing course moved into grade 6 to give students an earlier foundation; and targeted vocabulary instruction using Keys to Literacy routines. The coordinator said the informational reading-and-writing semester course is required for all sixth-grade students.

The middle school is using IXL as a benchmark diagnostic and personal learning platform, with diagnostics administered three times per year and weekly maintenance practice. The coordinator credited Title I funding for the NoRedInk writing program and noted a full-time Title I tutor and two reading teachers who deliver tiered interventions via push-in or pull-out models as part of the MTSS framework.

Committee members asked clarifying questions; the presenter confirmed that the informational reading-and-writing course is a semester course required for all sixth-grade students. The coordinator said professional learning and cross-department collaboration are ongoing.