Friday, April 17, 2015

Literacy coaches exceed goal

The Mississippi Department of Education issued the following press release:

Number of Literacy Coaches Surpasses State Goal

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education has surpassed the state’s goal to hire 75 literacy coaches, with 78 literacy staff recruited to support schools statewide. The Mississippi Board of Education is expected to approve contracts for the additional literacy coaches on Friday

With additional coaches, the MDE will increase the number of elementary schools served from 87 to 125. Literacy coaches work with schools’ K-3 teachers on best practices in reading instruction. They are assigned to schools with the lowest reading scores, based on recent data from statewide 3rd grade reading assessments. 

At Susie B. West Elementary School in the Natchez-Adams School District, literacy coach support helped the school increase its rating from an F to a C in one year. 

“Susie B. West Elementary School is a prime example of what happens when an entire school community dedicates itself to professional development and improving student outcomes,” said Dr. Kymyona Burk, state literacy director. 

Literacy coaches are part of a statewide system of support for schools and teachers that was developed after the passage of the 2013 Literacy-Based Promotion Act, which focuses on grade-level reading from Kindergarten through 3rd grade. In addition to assigning literacy coaches to schools, the MDE is in the process of providing training on the essential elements of reading instruction to more than 10,400 Kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers and elementary school principals across the state.

“Reading instruction is a major focus of Kindergarten through 3rd grade so that students are equipped to become strong readers throughout their education,” Burk said. “Literacy coaches and the emphasis on professional development for teachers and school leaders is strengthening classroom instruction statewide.” 

Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act requires 3rd grade students to demonstrate they read well enough to be promoted to 4th grade. Under the law, a student scoring at the lowest achievement level on the 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment will be retained in 3rd grade, unless the student meets the good cause exemptions for promotion as specified in the law. 

The assessment is being administered in public schools statewide during the testing window that ends on April 23, 2015. Students who do not pass the test the first time will be given two opportunities to retest. The first retest window is May 18-22, 2015. The second retest opportunity will take place between June 29 and August 7, 2015.

View the story about how the focus on literacy transformed Susie B. West Elementary School here: http://mdestream.mde.k12.ms.us/com/literacy/Literacy_Coach.mp4

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice, but rather meaningless.

I'd rather know how many more students are reading at the target level compared to previous years' assessments.

Anonymous said...

We already have Head Start (a baby-sitting service) and at least three years of teachers trying to teach a kid to read. THREE YEARS! Sadly, my wife paid $40 for a background check so she could volunteer to help with reading at a middle school. (7th-8th) It is going to take some one-on-one time to get some kids up to speed. They simply haven't had adequate (competent) instruction that stretched over years. Part of the blame is inadequate college teacher training.

Anonymous said...

Why do they need literacy teachers? Any idiot can teach someone to read. It ain't rocket science. What are teachers doing? Immigrants learn to read and write English. What the heck else is being taught in elementary school?

ABCD ICU said...

5:36, notwithstanding your poor grammar, which 'immigrants' are you talking about 'learn(ing) to read and write English'?

Anonymous said...

7:58. That would be you
The immigrant from Planet Anile

Trophies For All said...

The headline reminds me of Hugh Freezus' first year regular-season. 6-6, Exceeding Expectations.

When mediocrity becomes the goal, excellence goes unheralded.

Anonymous said...

"which 'immigrants' are you talking about 'learn(ing) to read and write English'? "

My grandparents, for a start. Of course, they were "old school" - "We came here to become Americans".

And 7:58: "Ain't" was used for dramatic effect. It's kind of an advanced English thing used by those who intentionally break the rules for increased emphasis. It probably wasn't covered on your GED.

A Real Murcan said...

"Advanced English thing"? You been readin' too much Sid Salter. Or was it Tom Sawyer?

I'll bet your granddaddy wore the same shoes for forty years and hand carved the boards for his first house too. Appeal to Emotion fallacy.


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Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


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Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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