Council Rock outlines rollout for structured literacy and K–3 universal screeners under new state deadlines

Tammy Garrett briefed the committee on structured literacy requirements that the district must follow under recent Pennsylvania actions. She cited Chapter 49 (2022) and Act 135 (2024), which clarify competencies and what the state considers evidence-based practice, and noted the Reading Council’s advisory lists of vetted programs. Garrett emphasized that while the state will collect data and set accountability timelines, "it's your decision as a district as to what you use" from the vetted lists and that districts must report program choices and professional development metrics to PDE.

Key reporting and accountability dates Garrett shared: a state questionnaire about curricular programs is expected by March 2026; annual program reporting (K–3 curricular resources and professional-development counts) begins July 2027; more detailed screening and outcome reporting is scheduled by July 31, 2028, with certain metrics posted publicly starting November 2028; and educators must complete specified professional development by the 2028–29 school year. Garrett warned that failure to meet reporting expectations could lead to corrective action by the state.

On local implementation, Garrett said the district has already been screening K–3 and up through grade 6 three times per year using Acadience/Amplify (DIBELS) and has intervention plans housed in the LINCET Intervention Manager. She described training completed for teachers and early steps to ensure fidelity of interventions (SPIRE, Reading Horizons, Wonders) and noted next steps include formal parent notifications about reading deficiency identification and adding progress monitoring measures required by the state.