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Forsyth schools outline K' instructional materials and deadlines under Georgia Early Literacy Act
Summary
District officials presented recommended high-quality instructional materials aligned to the science of reading, described a 2nd/3rd grade pilot and said the district must submit K' materials certification by Aug. 1 and a unified literacy plan by Jan. 1, 2027; board will consider final approval at its July 30 meeting.
Katie Carlson, Director of Teaching and Learning, and Dr. Courtney Bean, the district's ELA literacy specialist, told the Forsyth County Board of Education about the district's work to align literacy instruction with the Georgia Early Literacy Act and the district's goals.
Carlson summarized the statutory and program requirements that frame local decisions: annual certification of K' instructional materials that align to the science of reading, universal screening and tiered supports, dyslexia plans, and state reporting on parent communication and documentation.
Dr. Courtney Bean presented the specific recommendations for K' instruction, describing a bundled approach. "For example, looking at kindergarten we use Heggerty for our phonemic awareness instruction, UFLI Foundations for our phonics and fluency instruction, and then Benchmark Reading and Writing workshop for vocabulary, comprehension, and writing instruction," she said. Bean said the recommended materials were run through the state vetting rubric and that the district will pilot materials in some 2nd- and 3rd-grade classrooms this year.
Officials said the district must submit state reporting by Aug. 1 and that a district unified literacy plan (birth to career) is due by Jan. 1, 2027. Board members were invited to a literacy coach kickoff on Aug. 13 and 14, and staff said they will return at midyear with pilot data and an update on implementation and outcomes.
Board members asked about timing and review. Staff said they will place the materials on the July 30 meeting agenda so the district can meet the Aug. 1 reporting deadline.
What happens next: staff will present the materials for final board approval at the July 30 meeting; the district will continue pilot classroom monitoring and report midyear.
