Positives
SJUSD invested in teacher training through the LETRS professional development. Over 400 teachers have been trained in 5 years.
There are now literacy liaisons at most K-5/6 or K-8 schools who meet together to share updates.
SJUSD invested in teacher training for Screening for Reading Difficulties, including Risk of Dyslexia
ELA Newsletters are now going out regularly about shifts in instruction.
Questions
Teachers have approximately 270 hours each year to teach children how to read and write for grade-level standards. Would that herculean task be made easier if there were more alignment across grades? More district support on engaging families?
National Education Association's School Improvement Guide
SJUSD has a Family and Community Engagement unit (FACE). They do wonderful work. Why aren't they hosting workshops to address reading? Is it because there is disagreement from school-to-school, class-to-class on reading?
Family and Community Engagement (FACE) at SJUSD
Screentime. How can teachers possibly compete? How can parents? Do we need a unified message on this issue which is so obviously impacting our children's literacy proficiency?
Teachers have training. Now what? How do we build a bridge from their learning to practices in the classroom?
The California Reading Coalition ranked San Juan Unified 206 of 285 districts that were examined.
The coalition examined how proficient economically disadvantaged Latino third graders are in each district. This group was looked at because it is the largest sub-group in California: 43% of all total students. More here Teachers know that the mark of effective districts isn't how proficient economically advantaged students are - it's how proficient students are who have barriers for success.
Add your name to the growing list of community members who want change.