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North Marion leaders report K–5 instructional gains, emphasize literacy coaching and collaborative teams
Summary
District leaders told the board they are implementing Danielson-aligned walkthroughs, monthly coaching and high-dosage tutoring tied to an early-literacy grant; staff said testing shows comprehension and vocabulary needs and that a literacy coach from the Oregon Demonstration Network is supporting K–12 alignment.
The superintendent brought principals from the primary and intermediate schools to the board meeting to report progress on K–5 instruction and early-literacy work. The principals said the district is using the Danielson framework with new walkthrough forms and rubrics and is conducting three formal observations per year, one each trimester, focused on specific Danielson domains.
The primary school principal said the building completed a second round of math and reading tests and flagged vocabulary and comprehension as priorities based on that data. "We are prioritizing student language and vocabulary development," the primary school principal said, adding that small-group instruction has been redesigned so every student works with an adult during that rotation.
The intermediate school principal said teams are using domain 3 language to communicate learning objectives during lessons and collecting exit tickets as formative assessment. "We're seeing stronger instructional practices through the Danielson framework and the feedback that's being provided," the intermediate school principal said, noting that teachers are using formative data to adjust instruction daily.
Both principals described expanded coaching and partnership supports. The district literacy coordinator, Chelsea Landry, coordinates K–12 literacy work, and the district is participating in the Oregon Demonstration Network, which provided a literacy coach who works monthly with building staff and conducts walkthroughs. "That literacy coach came in and worked with myself, the instructional coach, to further refine the ELA curriculum," the intermediate school principal said.
Board members asked practical questions about observation logistics, class counts and whether teachers are notified of walkthroughs. The principals said targeted walkthroughs last about 20–30 minutes but that brief, unannounced five-minute visits are also possible; teachers are usually aware of the trimester focus but not always given a specific appointment.
The presenters also described family engagement plans tied to the literacy grant, including sending home literacy tips and partnering with local libraries and bookstores for book talks. The superintendent said the work aligns with the district's strategic initiatives and will inform the district's strategic planning timeline.
The board did not take formal action on the instructional update; staff said the efforts will continue and data will inform future steps.
