Continuing their conversations with educators across the state, Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Catherine Truitt, members of the DPI team and regional staff spent time early this month in Lee County with teachers, principals and district leaders to learn about their literacy journey. District members shared their story of literacy within the county, expressing their eagerness for what is to come through the Science of Reading and LETRS training.
Through a self-assessment of literacy outcomes for their K-5 students over the past few years, Lee County Schools staff members decided to make an “astronomical shift” in literacy teaching in order to avoid “catastrophic failure” in the county. After a variety of literacy initiatives, the district turned to the Science of Reading and raised the funds to send teachers to receive training.
.@CTruittNCDPI joined agency’s #DistrictVisitsVoices team in @leecoschoolsnc this a.m. for roundtable discussion w/ central office staff & ES administrators & educators to learn about district's journey to improve literacy through instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. pic.twitter.com/lHjo6s9zr7
— NC Public Schools (@ncpublicschools) June 4, 2021
Through a collaborative effort, teachers and staff implemented the Science of Reading across the district. In addition to improved literacy outcomes for students, it helped eliminate silos within classrooms and schools as teachers and administrators worked together to raise the bar for all students within Lee County Schools. “My students became our students,” one teacher shared. Motivated teachers continue to be a catalyst for change from the classroom to the boardroom.
.@CTruittNCDPI joined agency’s #DistrictVisitsVoices team in @leecoschoolsnc this a.m. for roundtable discussion w/ central office staff & ES administrators & educators to learn about district's journey to improve literacy through instruction grounded in the Science of Reading. pic.twitter.com/lHjo6s9zr7
— NC Public Schools (@ncpublicschools) June 4, 2021
The excitement around LETRS training to improve outcomes for their students was palpable throughout the discussion between DPI and Lee County Schools staff. LETRS -- Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling -- is more than professional development because it provides the ability for teachers to have the same skills, focus and materials to teach all students across North Carolina. It is an investment in people in order to understand and implement the science to reflect, grow and change how to teach successful reading.
I loved wrapping up my week in Lee County listening and learning from passionate educators and district leaders on their literacy journey!
So excited for growth to continue as we improve literacy outcomes for North Carolina students. #nced pic.twitter.com/x7EGX639yJ— NC Superintendent Catherine Truitt (@CTruittNCDPI) June 7, 2021
Through LETRS training, teachers receive consistent coaching to put the pedagogy into practice. Students across the state will have a strong foundation of literacy across any school they attend. Additionally, student interventions to enhance literacy can begin sooner as a result of consistent teaching models across the state.
Now what? Continual growth in literacy is imperative for the future of North Carolina students. Teachers’ enthusiasm and work ethic are a catalyst for change to improve student outcomes across the state. Building on the county’s steps in the Science of Reading, Lee County is part of the second cohort of teachers to receive LETRS training to continue their literacy journey.