Office of Academics highlights K–2 literacy gains and a districtwide push to align curriculum, assessment and MTSS

At the committee meeting, Director Breland introduced a broad Office of Academics update delivered by Dr. Kate Fritz. Dr. Fritz outlined a multi-pronged literacy strategy focused on K–2, a revised assessment cadence, and expanded MTSS procedures intended to address academics, behavior and social-emotional needs.

Dr. Fritz said the district deliberately named a goal that every student be reading on grade level by the end of second grade and described grant-funded partnerships with the Institute for Learning (University of Pittsburgh) and TNTP. She said one kindergarten classroom’s screener results rose from 12% proficient at the start of the year to 96% at year’s end and presented aggregate kindergarten growth (about +10% in multiple buildings). Dr. Fritz credited targeted small-group instruction, progress monitoring and teacher coaching as contributors to that growth.

The office also described changes to assessment practice: replacing lengthy screeners with shorter kindergarten measures to preserve instructional time, adopting mastery checks instead of wider interim tests, and adding a math screener to better target interventions. The curriculum hub is being revamped into a learning center to provide teachers internal-facing pacing, resources and professional learning supports. The office emphasized teacher voice in resource selection, teacher advisory structures, and district learning walks focusing on engagement and questioning techniques.

Direct quote used: Dr. Fritz on the district’s approach to K–2 literacy: “We were strategic and serious about all of our babies reading.” The presentation did not propose immediate policy changes requiring board action; it was presented as a status update and rationale for contracts and platform investments the board has already approved or will consider.