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Lewis Central outlines district literacy plan aiming for 80% proficiency
Summary
Dr. Hartman presented a district literacy plan that sets an 80% proficiency goal across assessment measures, moves the district toward structured literacy aligned with recent Iowa standards, and begins a vendor curriculum review with planned implementation supports and monitoring.
Dr. Hartman presented the district's new literacy goal and the framework the district leadership team developed to achieve it.
"Our goal is 80% proficient on literacy," Dr. Hartman said, describing multiple measures including FastBridge and end-of-year state assessments. She described the plan as a three-year effort to align Tier 1 instruction, strengthen foundational phonics instruction and embed professional learning and building-level PLC work to drive consistent literacy practices across grades.
The superintendent and Dr. Hartman told the board the district is shifting toward structured literacy to align with recent Iowa teaching standards and state guidance that emphasize phonics and a codified sequence of instruction. Dr. Hartman said the district has already implemented UFLI and LETRS training in many classrooms and that buildings have completed a self-assessment against a locally developed rubric to identify strengths and growth areas.
Board members asked how the district will monitor implementation. Dr. Hartman said the district leadership team will build accountability into regular PLCs and periodic data checks using FastBridge and walkthrough data, and principals will be responsible for follow-through at the building level. She said the curriculum-review committee will begin vendor presentations the coming week and that selections will follow a structured rubric tied to the district's literacy framework.
A board member raised concern about previous curriculum changes and parent understanding ("core math was a disaster," a member said), and Dr. Hartman responded that math instruction differs from literacy and emphasized the importance of communicating with parents and providing supports during the change-management process.
Dr. Hartman also confirmed the district will integrate required dyslexia training language and supports into the literacy plan, and that monthly updates to the board will track implementation progress and any data-driven adjustments.
The presentation concluded with the district's plan to publish visuals and add the strategic plan materials to the district website; board members requested continued focus on communicating with families and clear benchmarks for the first-year roll-out.
The superintendent said the district will begin vendor demonstrations on Thursday and will spend the subsequent months planning implementation supports if new materials are selected.
