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Dorchester District 2 outlines summer reading plan after preliminary Read to Succeed results
Summary
District staff reported preliminary Read to Succeed data showing about 11% of third graders scoring below the benchmark and launched a 20‑day summer reading camp for targeted students and others needing reinforcement; the camp provides transportation, meals and weekly progress reports to families.
Dorchester District 2 leaders described the district’s literacy initiatives and a summer reading camp at the June 8 board meeting, presenting early Read to Succeed screening results and program logistics.
Carrie Ball Hodgej, director of elementary schools, summarized the district’s ongoing implementation of the 'Letters' professional development and the science-of-reading materials across 15 elementary schools and 4K classrooms. She said more than 500 teachers participated in training cohorts, that the program requires an 80% passing score for course completion and that the district is aligning pacing guides and content specialists to sustain implementation.
On preliminary third‑grade screening, staff reported 1,880 students tested in 2026, with about 248 students (roughly 11%) flagged as not meeting the state's Read to Succeed benchmark. Ball Hodgej cautioned that these are preliminary data used for summer placement and further analysis will follow. "We can't speak too much to embargoed data," she said, noting the numbers inform summer reading camp invitations.
The district launched a 20‑day summer reading camp on June 8 (Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.) at two sites — Flowertown Elementary and Eagle Nest Elementary — with transportation, breakfast and lunch provided. Of 948 students invited districtwide, 470 registered; organizers said they will provide weekly progress reports to parents and use differentiated instruction with HMH curriculum, UFLY and Heggerty phonics resources.
Board members pressed staff on measuring program effectiveness. One member asked whether formative checks occur during the month-long camp; Ball Hodgej said weekly parent progress reports and built-in checks will document student progress and that outcomes will be reported after the summer to determine program adjustments. "Every week a parent will receive a progress report that will go home weekly," she said.
The district also noted community partnerships: Books and Beyond will provide three free books to each participating child, and transportation and food services staff were thanked for supporting the program. Site leaders and teachers were singled out for making the first day successful.
Ending: Officials said they will return to the board with end-of-summer outcomes and retention counts; staff emphasized attendance incentives and weekly reporting as central to measuring camp impact.
