Agency official highlights 'science of reading' rollout after visits to three schools

An agency official said the district’s "science of reading" approach is being implemented in classrooms and credited teachers and leaders for recent student gains after visits to three schools this month.

The official told attendees they visited Powell Elementary and met a second-grade team led by a teacher who was an early trainee in the program and has spent three years supporting colleagues to implement high-quality instructional materials. "It's all paying off as we see the kids at Powell making great gains," the agency official said.

The visits also included Inskip Elementary, where the official spent time with kindergarten teacher Miss Marvel and said kindergartners were learning foundational reading skills and number sense. "I could just really see what they're learning there is what's gonna propel them to be successful," the official said, adding that classrooms included students receiving special education and English-language learner services and that "every kid got what they needed, and I could see every student reading, multiple sentences."

At Northwest Middle School, the official said Principal Joanne Garner and her staff have, over three years, set a vision and built systems intended to create a place of belonging and high expectations for students. The official characterized the school's recent improvements as "a great example" of teachers and leadership aligning to a common mission to help students succeed.

The official closed by noting the district is preparing for end-of-year activities and that high school graduations will be held on school fields. "It's a very busy time of year, but I know we'll finish strong," the official said.

The remarks were a summary of school-site visits and observations; no formal policy actions or votes were recorded in the transcript.