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Lee County outlines rollout of new Georgia ELA standards, emphasizes phonics and text analysis
Summary
District leaders said teachers will receive professional learning and instructional planning time to emphasize phonics, phonemic awareness and analysis of multiple text modes under the new Georgia ELA standards; staff said resources and technology are in place for implementation.
Mrs. Kelly Duke, senior director of leadership and learning (K–12), briefed the board on the district's rollout plan for the new Georgia English language arts standards and described priorities for teacher training and curriculum planning.
Duke said the rollout places a particular emphasis on coordinated phonics and phonemic awareness across K–5, and on teaching students to "read like writers" by analyzing craft techniques such as dialogue, tone and figurative language. She said teachers will also be expected to use multiple text modes — print, video, audio and interactive digital platforms — and that teacher‑created instructional planning documents for all grade levels will be completed before summer to guide next year’s instruction.
Asked whether the district has the technology required for the rollout, staff responded the district has the necessary technology and supports. Duke said professional learning was provided this year, including summer training for primary and elementary teachers on foundational literacy practice, with additional collaborative sessions and teacher‑created materials planned to align instruction next year.
Duke compared the ELA rollout to a prior math rollout and said the district is "significantly ahead of most other school systems across the state in our planning and preparation." She thanked teachers and leaders for the extra work this year and said the board’s designated planning time and aligned resources aim to support student growth.
The board did not take action on the rollout at this meeting; staff said materials and plans will guide instruction next school year and that teachers will have time during the day for planning.
