Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Jefferson students demonstrate UFLI lessons as district evaluates literacy adoption
Loading...
Summary
Jefferson Elementary students and teacher Allison Jelasic showcased UFLI literacy lessons; Jelasic said the program drove measurable MAP growth in her prior class and Jefferson's kindergarten and first-grade teams are using UFLI this year while the district assesses gaps in its Scholastic adoption.
Principal Kyle Berto introduced Jefferson Elementarys work on building teacher clarity, professional learning communities and early-literacy interventions before kindergarten teacher Allison Jelasic led a short UFLI lesson for the board and attendees.
Jelasic described UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) as an "explicit and systematic program that teaches students the foundational skills necessary for proficient reading," and demonstrated phonemic awareness drills, visual and auditory practice and a word-ladder exercise with kindergarten students. "It truly is a right for every student to be able to read," Jelasic said, adding that she saw the highest MAP growth in her former school after adopting the program.
Board members asked whether Jefferson was the only building using UFLI. Jelasic said the kindergarten and first-grade teams at Jefferson are using the program this year; she has shared her data districtwide and said schools had discretion to adopt. Dr. Robinson said the district is using UFLI to fill gaps in literacy while it continues to evaluate its Scholastic adoption and noted the Scholastic contract has remaining years.
Trustees praised the students' demonstration and asked brief follow-up questions about scalability, teacher training and program cost; Jelasic described the UFLI materials as primarily online aside from a teacher manual and described the program as easily modified to meet varied student needs.
The presentation concluded with the board thanking the students and teachers and encouraging continued evaluation of early-literacy strategies across the district.
