The state testing is complete and the final countdown (16 student days) to summer has begun. However, teachers and interventionist are still working hard to get any last minute learning into the minds of our students.

Science of Reading Year #2 - What changes did you make in your reading block this past school year? Is your 90 minute block uninterrupted? Here are the resources from year one - 90 Minute Reading Block Best Practices, Kindergarten - 2nd grade, 3rd - 5th 90 Minute Block Resources. Do you feel one area of the five components to reading is a deficit in your block? If so, and you would like assistance to make your 90 minute block more efficient, reach out to me by email and I am happy to come and meet with you during your prep, before, or after school.

Teachers know realistically it takes more than 90 minutes for ELA to be effective. I recommend 120 minutes of your day should be devoted to ELA especially in the younger grades (K-3). I am happy to work with any teachers that would like additional help in planning their ELA block for the next school year. A strong Tier 1 instruction (state standards) and using your data to drive instruction should be the focus of your planning.

Universal Screeners (NWEA, DIBELS, ISTEEP) can help identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, and at the school or district level, they can confirm the effectiveness of a literacy curriculum. The universal screener is a first step—it shows you WHO needs intervention. But it doesn’t identify the WHAT and the HOW.

Diagnostic assessments (Phonological Awareness/Phonics Screener) are necessary for specifics and a plan. Diagnostic assessments involve administering tests individually to students. The diagnostic assessment shows whether a student has mastered a specific set of skills and then offers steps to take to provide the necessary support. Importantly, a diagnostic assessment should pinpoint where on a continuum a skills intervention needs to begin and what lessons can provide that intervention. Effective diagnostics should seamlessly integrate assessment, instruction, and resources for maximum efficiency (95% Group, Dr. Susan Hall).

Our Title I schools use the PSI (Phonics Screener for Intervention) for a diagnostic screener to pinpoint the phonics skill deficits. Title I teachers and classroom teachers have also screened their entire classrooms, so teachers can group their students with similar skill deficits and instructional needs. Reach out to me by email if this is something you would like more information on for next year.

Congratulations to the thirteen teachers/administrators that have obtained the new "Reading Endorsement" addition to their license this school year. If you have NOT enrolled because you were waiting to see if the legislative session changed the requirements - IT DID NOT! Reminder to get this endorsement for free you must register by May 15th and all classes have to be completed by June 30th.

IDOE REMINDER: Keys to Literacy Completion
Educators have until Monday, June 30, to complete all asynchronous coursework through Keys to Literacy to maintain stipend eligibility. For help accessing your course, please see this PDF of directions and FAQs for Teachable. Contact Keys to Literacy with any questions regarding your online course. If you have not yet enrolled in a Keys to Literacy course, you have until Thursday, May 15, to register in order to complete by Monday, June 30, and maintain stipend eligibility. Click here to register. Additionally if you have requested a Praxis voucher, the testing date can fall after June 30, 2025, but educators must schedule their exam by Monday, June 30. Contact IDOE’s Literacy Center with questions.

Monday, May 12, through Friday, June 27th. Beginning with the 2025 IREAD Summer administration, grade three students will have two opportunities to test during the summer window. Grade two "at-risk" students will have one opportunity to retake the IREAD summer administration.

Due to new language presented in the legislative session - The Indiana Department of Education has asked school corporations to put a "pause" on the adoption of reading curriculum until the 2025 HQCM advisory list is released following the conclusion of the legislative session. Schools proceeding with curricular materials adoption before the release of the 2025 HQCM advisory list must ensure adopted and implemented materials meet criteria for age appropriateness and align with applicable state laws and community standards.

For the second consecutive year, all second grade students in the district will take home a summer reading bag sponsored by Title I and the United Way Literacy Grant.

The MSD of Martinsville was awarded a literacy grant to purchase Beanstack for all seven elementary schools. Beanstack uses competition, recognition, and proven gamification principles to promote reading. Beanstack also partners with our Morgan County Library to continue reading throughout the summer months. Beanstack will be available in May to teachers/librarians to get a glimpse of the program for next year.