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District humanities director outlines literacy audit, new phonics curriculum and teacher training goal
Summary
District director Jen Krieser Amy told the board the district’s literacy audit prompted adoption of structured phonics resources and changes to K–5 screening; district coaches were hired and the goal is 100% K–6 training in science-of-reading practices by Sept. 2025.
At the Dec. 12 Hyde Park Central School District meeting, District Director of Humanities Jen Krieser Amy gave a high-level report on K–12 humanities outcomes and described a focused effort to address elementary reading proficiency.
Krieser Amy said the district’s average proficiency for grades 3–8 ELA was about 38% in 2024 and acknowledged that district performance is below state averages at several grade levels. To address foundational reading deficits, the district conducted a literacy audit using science-of-reading research and LETRS guidance. The audit found gaps in phonics instruction and led to adoption of a structured, multi-sensory phonics resource (UFLY / University of Florida Literacy Initiative) for tiered decoding instruction and changes to K–5 assessments that align to the five pillars of reading.
She described a short-cycle intervention for a fourth-grade cohort that raised proficiency in that group from roughly 27.9% to 37.4% and reduced the percentage of students scoring at the lowest level by 8.8 percentage points. The district has two literacy coaches (Bridgette DiPrimo and Jennifer Turner) who have supported teachers through coaching cycles and professional development offerings.
Krieser Amy said the district plans to use NYSED’s curriculum-evaluation rubric and expects further state guidance in January; she also said the district hopes to have all K–6 teachers trained in science-of-reading materials — a target date the district set for September 2025. Board members asked for clarification on program selection and assessment changes; Krieser Amy said the literacy audit committee piloted resources and tracked local data to decide on UFLY.
The presentation did not include a board vote but signaled a multi-year literacy implementation that will require coaching, assessment changes and continued monitoring of student outcomes.
