Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Learning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hillsborough superintendent highlights early learning, phonics program and military family supports
Summary
Superintendent Van Ayers told the district's new podcast listeners that early learning, kindergarten readiness and a phonics initiative (UFLY) are top priorities; he also noted 29 Purple Star schools and ongoing work with military families.
On the inaugural Hillsborough County Public Schools podcast, Superintendent Van Ayers emphasized early learning and supports for military families as central priorities for the district.
Ayers said the district focuses on kindergarten readiness through high'quality VPK programs and community partnerships such as the Early Learning Coalition and the Children's Board. "If you start with early learning... that provides kindergarten readiness that ultimately get to all of our kids proficient in 3rd grade," he said.
He described the district'level UFLY phonics initiative as a recent adoption aimed at improving early reading outcomes and said kindergarten through second'grade teachers have responded positively to the curriculum. "We've had tremendous success and growth there," Ayers said of the phonics program.
Ayers also discussed supports for military families, noting the district works with the nearby Air Force base to help nearly 5,000 active'duty children understand school options. He explained the Purple Star designation (a state recognition for schools providing supports to military families) and said the district has 29 schools that have earned that designation.
The superintendent framed these efforts as part of a larger strategy to increase early proficiency and long'term graduation outcomes. He said the district will highlight progress in future communications and episodes of the podcast.
