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Clayton County outlines Riverdale Early Learning Center and K‑1 structured literacy rollout
Summary
District leaders briefed the board on plans to open the Riverdale Early Learning Center in August 2026, implement Orton‑Gillingham structured literacy for early grades and add executive‑functioning instruction; board members asked for clarity on staffing, pacing and potential expansion to additional grades.
Clayton County Public Schools presented details on a new Riverdale Early Learning Center and a structured early‑literacy initiative during the June 23 board meeting, saying the center will open in August 2026 and that the district aims to have students reading by the end of first grade.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. Delphia Young and elementary‑academics staff described the Riverdale Early Learning Center as a lab site that will initially serve pre‑K 3, pre‑K 4 and kindergarten students; first grade will be added the following year. The district said it had visited other programs, contracted a consultant and partnered with the Rollins Center to design the site.
On literacy, the district plans to expand a K‑1 structured‑literacy model anchored in Orton‑Gillingham (OG) and the science of reading. Presenters cited a district finding that 76.5% of K‑5 students were identified as moderate or high‑risk readers, which the rollout is intended to address. The plan calls for tier‑1 instruction for all students and a “double dose” of OG for students in early intervention. The district also proposed an executive‑functioning initiative — short daily lessons and weekly counselor sessions — to teach attention, organization and self‑regulation skills.
Staff said the district will train the teachers hired for the Riverdale site for 20 days in July 2026 before students arrive; the district noted it may need additional funding to pay teachers for summer training. For kindergarten classrooms, the district intends to continue current practice of teacher plus paraprofessional; first‑grade classes will have a single teacher with coach and administrative supports.
Board members offered suggestions and concerns. Board member Sabrina Hill praised the project and emphasized early‑childhood impact; Mark Christmas advocated studying high‑performing OG models and accelerating rollout to K‑3 to address pandemic‑era learning gaps. Board member Mary Baker, who has experience as a preschool teacher, urged play‑based instruction for three‑year‑olds and warned against excessive tablet use.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith and staff said they would continue refining staffing models, training plans and funding details and bring updates to the board for future consideration.
