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York district lays out changes to Read to Succeed implementation: more testing, earlier parent notice and expanded summer camp
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Latoya Dixon told trustees the updated Read to Succeed law requires more frequent screening, parent notification within 15 days, individualized reading plans, and expansion of mandatory summer reading camp and changes to third-grade retention exemptions; the district said it is preparing documentation and staffing plans.
York School District One staff told trustees they are preparing to implement recent changes to South Carolina's Read to Succeed law that will increase screening, require faster parent notification and expand mandatory summer reading supports.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Latoya Dixon said the district must administer growth and reading fluency screeners multiple times a year and notify parents within 15 days when a student's score indicates a reading deficiency. "We have to notify parents within 15 days of them taking that assessment and then create individualized reading plans for those students," Dixon said, explaining that plans must target specific skill deficits and be based on the science of reading.
Dixon outlined other key changes: the dyslexia screener will be used in K'1 as needed, MAP growth reading will be administered K'8, and the district will create formal individualized reading plans and, where required, schedule parent conferences. For third-grade students, Dixon said parents must attend a conference (face-to-face unless exceptional circumstances), the portfolio "good cause" exemption has been removed, and the pool of students required to attend summer reading camp will expand. Under the revised rules described to the board, students who score in the "does not meet" category must attend summer reading camp unless they meet specified exemptions such as recent arrival with limited English instruction, an IEP/504 with alternate assessment, prior retention with two years of intervention, or other statutory exemptions.
The district also described operational steps: principals will document conferences and sign-offs so the district can produce a record if a parent later questions notification; the technology and data teams will track students by school as they move through fall and winter screening cycles; and calendar adjustments and intersession periods will be used to meet the required 96 hours for summer reading camp where needed.
Trustees asked about staffing and budget pressures; Dixon said district staff are monitoring numbers school-by-school and factoring potential increases in summer-program enrolment into budgeting and staffing conversations. She said the district is also increasing early communication with parents in K'2 to reduce surprises at third grade.
The board did not take action on policy changes at the meeting; staff said implementation planning and further updates will continue as screening results and state guidance arrive.
