Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Literacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District reports large benchmark gains in third-grade literacy after instructional changes
Summary
District presenters said benchmark one for third-grade reading rose from 16% to 46% after structured literacy blocks, TXRL grant training and schedule changes; presenters emphasized bilingual supports and adaptive practice tools.
Castleberry ISD administrators told the board that early literacy changes aligned with House Bill 3 goals have produced immediate benchmark gains in third-grade reading.
Kristen Smith presented the HB3 third-grade early literacy update and said Benchmark 1 this year rose dramatically: "We've seen an increase from 16% to 46% of students meeting expectations," she said, citing combined English and Spanish results. Smith described three instructional blocks (structured literacy, vocabulary/reading comprehension/writing, and personalized practice) and said teachers used TXRL grant training, redesigned master schedules and embedded bilingual supports to sustain instruction. She also highlighted use of an adaptive program (Emera) and curated weekly playlists to target word recognition and comprehension.
Board members praised the approach and asked clarifying questions about monitoring and next steps. Presenters said progress monitoring and alignment to STAR item types will continue and that they will report further benchmark and end-of-year STAR outcomes as they are collected.
