NCPS receives 2023-2024 Science of Reading Champion for Change Award
NASHVILLE, N.C. — Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) has received the North Central Region’s 2023-2024 Science of Reading Champion for Change award from North Carolina’s Office of Early Learning. The award, presented on behalf of State Superintendent Catherine Truitt, recognized district leaders of systems who have used data to align literacy strategies that are impacting exemplary student outcomes.
The NCPS team worked with school administrators and instructional staff to build a strong foundation in Science of Reading principles through monthly elementary roundtable meetings. These sessions allowed administrators and coaches to explore curriculum options and instructional strategies aligned with Science of Reading standards. The initiative was guided by the statewide implementation of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) professional development for all Pre-K-5 educators.
Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services and Accountability Melissa Dancy-Smith said, “Ensuring that all preschool through fifth grade reading teachers were trained in the Science of Reading (LETRS) was a challenge for the academics team. The Champion for Change Award recognizes that the teachers and school administrators have bridged what was learned into their classroom instructional practices. To say that I am proud of the work of our students and staff is an understatement. NCPS continues to work hard to align the science of reading through core curriculum adoptions, fidelity checks, and making improvements where gaps are identified to build more confident readers.”
The “Science of Reading” is reading instruction based on thousands of studies from across the world that reveal how we learn to read and the most effective ways to teach reading. This research guides teachers to most effectively and efficiently teach all students to read by focusing on the five “keys” to reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. As these skills develop and integrate, they form a “rope” that supports fluent, meaningful reading — a goal central to NCPS’s literacy efforts.
In addition to roundtable discussions, the district conducted targeted classroom walkthroughs followed by feedback sessions to ensure consistency in literacy practices. These discussions, guided by Literacy Effectiveness Check data, empowered administrators, teacher leaders and teachers to refine instruction and better meet student needs.
“This award honors and reflects the hard work of all of our elementary teachers, school leaders and district leaders in embracing the research behind the science of reading in an effort to improve literacy outcomes for all students in Nash County,” said Monique Hargrove-Jones, executive director of elementary education. “We are excited to receive this recognition and look forward to continuing our journey toward continuous improvement.”
The district’s efforts have resulted in significant success, including more than 20 percent growth in end-of-year DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessments for the 2023-24 school year. DIBELS is a standardized tool that measures literacy skills in children from kindergarten through fifth grade. It evaluates key areas such as phonemic awareness, decoding, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary. Teachers use the assessments throughout the year to monitor progress and provide early interventions for students needing additional support.
NCPS will continue its literacy journey as an “NC Promising Practice” in literacy. The district has shown its successes and best practices with other districts statewide, further strengthening literacy efforts across North Carolina.
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Media Contact:
Heather Louise Finch, Public Information Officer