Franklin schools outline iRead rollout, retention risk and expanded literacy supports

Dr. Worland told the joint meeting that the iRead assessment, now required for second and third graders under recent state law, is formative for second grade and summative for third grade; Senate Enrolled Act 1 makes third-grade results consequential for retention decisions. The district reported a current average of 83.8% passing across five elementary schools compared with a state average of about 82.5% and said it is targeting 85% by year-end and 90% in 2026 to help reach the state's 95% goal by 2027.

Julie Rowan, the literacy coach at Creekside Elementary, described the district’s rollout of structured literacy approaches and professional development: five literacy coaches participated in a summer Marian University program, ongoing cadre work and regular professional development. Rowan said the district has used Orton–Gillingham phonics instruction since 2020 and is expanding Title I interventions to involve classroom teachers, instructional assistants and specials teachers so students receive earlier, skill-focused support.

District leaders said Union Elementary achieved a 100% recognition at the State House. They framed the changes as implementation of evidence-based reading practices and noted the district is participating in a state iLearn pilot and moving to more frequent formative assessments.

The district declined to provide exhaustive statutory-exemption detail at the meeting, saying some iRead exemptions exist in statute and that staff could answer specific questions later. Officials emphasized early interventions and data-driven instruction as central to avoiding retention and helping students meet reading benchmarks.