The document discusses reasons for a literacy initiative in the Nettleton School District. Key points include: 1) Test score data shows that 70% of students in the district are below state averages in language arts, and nearly 20% score minimally on state assessments with few advanced students in middle grades. 2) ICLE reading statistics and educational attainment data for the district also indicate a need to improve literacy. 3) The proposed literacy initiative would define literacy for all students, develop teacher training and processes for reading and writing, and monitor implementation closely to develop a district-wide culture that addresses the urgent need for improved literacy.

2. Positives
 High School QDI up 12 points
 Upper Elem. QDI up from 2011-2012
 Highest graduation rate and completion rate
 Of all the students in MS that could not pass
on account of a SATP score, Nettleton had 0.
 Suspension and expulsion rate is much lower
than the state and surrounding area
 Highest number of graduates in 2013 with an
ACT score above 22
 More students are graduating and our kids are
being held to a higher standard

3. WHY
 What are the reasons for a reading
initiative for our School District ?

4. Reasons for Literacy
Initiative
 70%
 2012-2013 Language Arts Data
 ICLE reading statistics
 Nettleton Educational Attainment Stats
 WE are not living up to our vision
statement !

5. 70%

6. Preliminary Language Arts stats
 Nettleton School District is below state
average in language arts QDI
 Nearly 20% of our students score
minimal on State Language Arts
assessments
 Very few advanced students in the
Middle grades in ELA

8. ICLE statistics

9. HOW ?

10. Develop a culture that
understands the urgent need for
literacy !!
 THIS IS A CRISIS !!
 Educational Attainment slide
 5th grade common core question

11. Common Core – 5th grade Math

12. Implications for Nation
Nationwide, a student gives
up on school every 29
seconds. That adds up to one
million American dropouts per
year.
Mississippi Department of Education,
2008

13. Implications for Nation
Dropouts earn about $9,200
less per year than high school
graduates. Over a typical 30-
year career, a dropout can
earn potentially $276,000 less
than graduates.
Mississippi Department of Education,
2008

14. Implications for Nation
 Unless high schools are able to
graduate their students at higher
rates, more than 12 million students
will drop out during the course of the
next decade. The result will be a
loss to the nation of $3 trillion.
Alliance for Excellent Education, January 2007

15. Personal Implications
Studies show students that
dropout are more than twice
as likely as high school
graduates to slip into poverty
in a single year.
Mississippi Department of Education, 2008

16. Personal Implications
Dropouts are 10 times
more likely than high
school graduates to
go to jail.
Mississippi Department of Education,
2008

17. Strategies of Successful
Schools
 Literacy for All-No exceptions
 What gets monitored is what gets done.
 The Key to success=Adult Learning=Success hinges
on not only student learning but adult learning as
well.
 Training Teachers is Key
 Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships for all Students
 Humor-Do not take yourself too seriously.
 Do away with Department Chairs and created
Interdisciplinary Teams to better integrate skills.

18. Literacy Initiative
 Goals
 Define literacy for all
○ Literacy definition : Reading, Writing,
Speaking, and Reasoning at an appropriate
level to reach full potential.
 Develop positive relationships
 Develop initiatives that work and implement
with fidelity
 Train teachers in common processes and
rubrics for reading and writing
 Monitor like crazy !!

19. Nettleton School District
Literacy Initiatives
 Literacy for All---No Exceptions
 Every teacher is a reading teacher !
 In grades 4-8 at least 1 interdisciplinary unit will be taught each 9 weeks
 Language Arts classes will be blocked for students needing ELA in Junior High
 *Writing in every classroom on a regular basis ( Regular basis means at least once per week in non LA
classes )
 *Required reading in almost every classroom ( Required
 Beginning in 6th grade read for information. Can be magazine articles.
 *Every test that teachers give should have an open response question.
 *Each teacher keep a portfolio of student work in a notebook/folder
 *Principal or Designee should pull student work portfolios every week to make sure that work is
appropriate.
 *Inclusion teachers assist with Reg. Ed teachers-portfolios
 *Development of consistent reading process and writing rubric and TRAIN ALL TEACHERS
 Resource/Self Contained teachers will keep portfolios of student work.
 *Have an open house once every 9 weeks to review student work in portfolios
 * Develop a leadership team within your building. Make it as diverse as possible-different ages, different
subject areas. Meet twice a month to review literacy plan
 *Establish an addendum to the report card that will address Lexile reading levels and develop a plan of
how to improve these levels.

20. Reading Report

21. WHY NOT US ?