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Stockton Unified honors music teacher Arthur Coleman, recognizes three RAMP schools and highlights early literacy gains
Summary
At its August meeting, Stockton Unified named its administrative complex for longtime music teacher Arthur R. Coleman Jr., recognized Edison High, McKinley and Marshall as RAMP schools, and staff presented SIPS early-literacy results showing notable fall-to-spring gains and improved progress rates districtwide.
The Stockton Unified School District board honored Arthur R. Coleman Jr., a longtime music educator, announced the Arthur Coleman Jr. Administrative Complex and played a tribute video celebrating his 45 years in Stockton classrooms. Coleman, who taught marching band and led Chavez High School’s music program, said he felt "blessed" by the recognition.
The board also formally recognized three schools — Edison High School, McKinley Elementary and Marshall Elementary — as RAMP sites (Recognized ASCA Model Program) for their counseling programs after district staff described the two-to-three-year process of evaluation, data review and implementation required for the award. Maryanne Santella, director of student support services, noted that Edison is the district’s first high school to earn RAMP recognition.
In a separate presentation, Director of Curriculum Melissa Sigers reviewed SIPS (an evidence-based foundational skills program adopted for phonics instruction) and the district’s early-literacy key performance indicator. Sigers told the board that progress rates have risen materially under district implementation, saying the district had seen substantial growth in 2024–25. "We more than tripled from 10.5% to 35.8% over the two years," Sigers said, pointing to districtwide gains and particular improvement among English learners.
District leaders credited a mix of professional learning, in-class demonstration lessons, coaching and targeted cohort work with driving implementation success. Staff described next steps that include more targeted cohort visits, parent engagement showcases, and capacity-building for instructional support staff so they can sustain on-site coaching year-round.
Board members and audience members applauded the recognitions and the student work that was shared at the kickoff events. Officials emphasized that materials and equipment purchased for programs such as the Youth Cinema project are district-owned and intended for sustained classroom use.
What’s next: District staff said they will continue cohort-based professional learning for SIPS, expand parent engagement to show families how to support student practice at home, and leverage the RAMP schools to share lessons across other campuses.
