Page 12 - Superintendent Annual Report 24-25

LITERACY INITIATIVES

Strategic Initiative A.1a: Effective Literacy
Instruction in PreK-3
Throughout FY25, the elementary literacy team
remained committed to supporting consistent and
effective literacy instruction for students in grades
PreK-3. In the continued partnership with the
University of Florida’s Lastinger Center, the team
delivered comprehensive professional training to
empower educators and enhance literacy outcomes
across the District.

The support for K-2 educators centered around a
small-group instructional framework designed to offer
differentiated learning experiences to address the
diverse needs of students at various stages of reading
development. The elementary literacy team facilitated
three days of professional learning focused on this
framework, equipping teachers with the strategies and
tools necessary for effective implementation.
Character book parade at Plumosa School of the Arts K-8
Additionally, teachers’ understanding of the Science of
Reading deepened through three full-day professional learning sessions, each centered on six critical compo-
nents. To ensure this knowledge is translated into practice, the team conducted coaching cycles that included
hands-on support and guidance. After the initial professional learning sessions, lab sites were established where
literacy specialists modeled small-group instruction. This provided teachers with a concrete demonstration on
how to apply the framework. Following the labs, the team continued the cycle by offering side-by-side coaching,
allowing for immediate feedback and refinement. In response to ongoing needs, the elementary literacy team
also provided virtual after-school sessions to address specific misconceptions observed during the labs.

Through these initiatives, the elementary literacy team equipped teachers with the knowledge, resources, and
coaching necessary to enhance literacy outcomes while fostering a culture of continuous learning and profes-
sional growth throughout the District.

Elementary Literacy Coach Endorsement
The elementary literacy team conducted seven full-day professional learning sessions for literacy coaches.
These sessions aimed to deepen the coaches’ literacy knowledge and enhance their coaching effectiveness. By
emphasizing content expertise and the development of coaching skills, these sessions ensured that coaches
were well-prepared to support their colleagues. Eighteen participants completed the course, allowing them to
earn the Florida Literacy Coach Endorsement, which may be added to their Florida Educator’s Certificate.

Elementary Literacy Administrative Series

To emphasize the crucial role of leadership in literacy instruction, the elementary literacy team facilitated a
series of four professional learning sessions for administrators. These sessions focused on developing admin-
istrators’ understanding of the Science of Reading and effective practices for supporting literacy instruction
within their schools.

12 SUPERINTENDENT ANNUAL REPORT