St. Helens SD 502 reports low third‑grade reading proficiency, outlines K–3 literacy plan

Jeff Burns, St. Helens SD 502 Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, presented the district's annual integrated guidance report to the school board on Oct. 8, saying the district has trained its K–3 teachers in systematic phonics and the science of reading and will use that training and targeted interventions to raise student literacy outcomes.

Burns said, “Every teacher in the district has been trained in science of reading,” and described targeted classroom interventions and a district expectation to increase third‑grade language arts data by about 2% each year.

The report is part of state Student Investment Account (SIA) reporting requirements that, Burns said, require districts to set longitudinal growth targets, report quarterly on expenditures and present an annual narrative to the governing board. “SIA is that's the funding source,” Burns told the…