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District rolls out StudySync and ATLAS testing, expands dyslexia screening and interim exams
Summary
Nashville School District is implementing StudySync for grades 7–12, adding ATLAS screening for K–2 with interim assessments beginning in October, and incorporating initial dyslexia screening into K–2 testing, district officials said.
District curriculum and testing officials described a set of coordinated changes intended to strengthen literacy and assessment across Nashville schools.
Holly Couch, the district curriculum and testing lead, told the board that StudySync — a secondary literacy curriculum approved last year — "is in full implementation right now" for grades 7–12 and that teachers participated in professional development in June. She said StudySync is rigorous and digitally oriented and that early classroom observations have been "eye opening."
Couch also described the ATLAS testing rollout: kindergarten through second grade students will take ATLAS this year, which the district will use to gather continuous, comparable data from kindergarten through tenth grade. "This system will allow us to gather continuous and consistent data on student performance from kindergarten through tenth grade," she said. The district plans interim assessments through the ATLAS portal beginning in October and continuing periodically, culminating in the summative exam in April.
Couch emphasized dyslexia screening: while she stated she does not diagnose dyslexia, she said "what the state of Arkansas requires school personnel to do is to test for characteristics of dyslexia" and that the K–2 ATLAS test will include initial screening elements to identify students who need further evaluation. Identified students will receive interventions under the district’s established programs and can remain eligible for services through graduation if needed, she said.
Staffing changes and roles were listed to support the rollout: Christie Cox will assist with AP testing; Couch will handle ATLAS testing for grades 7–10 and 7–12 literacy coaching; Chrisanna Miller will manage K–6 ATLAS testing and be a K–6 literacy coach; Sarah (last name not specified) will manage K–12 ESL and ELPA testing; and Kim Perez will oversee WorkKeys classes and testing.
District officials said ATLAS interims will help monitor progress and allow staff to target interventions. Couch described the district’s intervention program and Arkansas‑approved intervention curriculum (Windsor/Mornings) used to group students by instructional need, and noted some students have successfully exited interventions into higher‑level coursework.
The district did not provide specific statewide citations during the meeting; officials framed dyslexia screening as aligned with Arkansas requirements and said the district will follow state guidance.
