Elementary and Middle School News

📕 Literacy Learning

• RIMP Close-Out

📅 Reminders

• Dyslexia Session 3 - Register HERE
• 8th Grade Math Cohort 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, 5/12/26 REGISTER HERE

As the i‑Ready assessment window approaches, we are making an adjustment to better support K–3 students as they begin their Math and Reading assessments and benchmarks.

The i‑Ready Assessment window will now open on Monday, May 4, 2026, instead of the originally scheduled date of Monday, May 11, 2026. Schools are welcome to maintain the original administration date if that best supports their instructional plan.

Opening the platform one week earlier allows many schools, particularly at the primary grades, to benefit from additional time to initiate and complete Math and Reading assessments. This added flexibility supports student success while remaining within assessment spacing guidelines.

Please note the updated timeline:

• i‑Ready testing platform opens: Monday, May 4, 2026
• Assessment window closes: Friday, May 22, 2026

This adjustment provides schools with an additional week to administer i‑Ready Math and Reading tasks and/or complete benchmark testing while maintaining alignment with all established assessment parameters.

Reminder: All benchmark results must be reported no later than Tuesday, May 27, 2026 (the day BEFORE the last day of school).

Action Required:
Please upload your testing schedules no later than Friday, May 1, 2026, using the link below:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/0197d161639673828d316277e84177bc

Session 3 - Register HERE

❗❗URGENT - Dyslexia Course Update (3.16.26)❗❗

If you are completing (or plan to complete) 18 asynchronous hours, through the Department of Education and Workforce's Introduction to Dyslexia course, please note the following:

• All new and in‑progress trainings must be completed by May 7, 2026.

• On May 7, 2026, DEW courses will be deactivated in the Department’s current Learning Management System (LMS).
• Any training not fully completed by this date will be lost and cannot be recovered. You will not be able to earn a certificate to submit for payment after May 7, 2026.

• Payment for teachers who submit verification of successful completion of the course and post-assessment by May 5th, 2026 will be compensated no later than June 5th, 2026.

It is strongly recommended to complete the course and submit your certificate before May 7, 2026. After this date, we will no longer have access to the current system, and support for troubleshooting or retrieving certificates will be unavailable.

Dyslexia Training Reminder

All newly hired teachers, teachers new to Grades K–6, and Grades 4–12 intervention specialists must complete the Ohio Department of Education’s 11 Dyslexia Modules (18 asynchronous hours) during the 2025–2026 school year. General Education Teachers in Grades 4-6 who have previously taken Science of Reading training have the option to engage in the Ohio Department of Education’s 11 Dyslexia Modules (18 asynchronous hours) during the 2025–2026 school year if they have not already completed it in a previous year. HERE is the link to the Smartsheet where you'll submit evidence of completion of the Ohio Department of Education's 11 Dyslexia Modules (18 asynchronous hours). ​HERE​ is the full '25-'26 Dyslexia Training Update.

Have questions about Dyslexia or the online course? Click here to submit your question.

OST Fall Grade 3 Scores

• OST scores for the Fall 2025 Grade 3 ELA assessment have been received. Please check Performance Matters and Powerschool for scoring information. It is recommended but not required to add any third graders to RIMPs who did not pass the OST (scored below 700) and were not previously on a RIMP.

• RIMP Training Decks
• i-Ready Cut Scores
• Progress Monitoring Probes (student facing in one file)
• K-3 Important Dates
• SY 25-26 Signature Pages
• 4-6th Grade RIMP Important Dates
• i-Ready School SY 25-26 Diagnostics and Assessment Guidance (Cut Scores for ELA and Math)

As we approach the end of the reporting year, please ensure that all required RIMP components are fully completed and properly closed out for every student currently on a RIMP. Incomplete or missing documentation—including progress monitoring, interventions, and signature pages—may place the school and district at risk for state noncompliance.

Thank you for your continued attention to fidelity and compliance as we work together to support students and meet state expectations.

Updated Math Assessment windows click HERE

8th Grade Math Cohort 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, 5/12/26 REGISTER HERE

Below are optional opportunities for K-8 social studies teachers to participate in. If you'd like further information or how you can implement anything below in your classroom, please reach out to Amanda De La Rosa at amanda.delarosa@clevelandmetroschools.org.

Give your students a powerful, real-world learning experience with Project Penalty Awareness, a dynamic guest speaker program led by professionals from the U.S. Pretrial Services and Probation Office in the Northern District of Ohio.

This interactive session goes beyond the textbook, helping students understand the real consequences of federal drug and firearm offenses through engaging, age-appropriate discussions. Presenters include judges, attorneys, and federal staff who bring authentic perspectives and experiences directly to your classroom.

Designed to support students in making informed decisions, this program connects to social-emotional learning, civic awareness, and real-life application—making it especially impactful for middle school learners.

Why bring this to your classroom?

• Engaging, interactive presentation with real-world relevance
• Supports student decision-making and awareness
• Connects to social studies, SEL, and civic learning
• Opportunity for students to hear directly from professionals in the justice system

Click here to register for this 1 hour session: Project Penalty Awareness – Fill out form

Mon, Jun 15, 2026 10:00 AM - Tue, Jun 16, 5:00 PM EDT

Register Here

Attention middle and high school educators! Here is an opportunity to participate in the Cleveland State University Center for Civics, Culture and Society’s Summer Teacher Institute focused on our nation’s founding documents in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary. The Institutes take place the week of June 8 and June 22, 2026 at the ESC of Northeast Ohio and are led by renowned scholars. Educators who complete the Institute requirements can earn a $3500 stipend. See the registration flyer below. For additional information, contact j.j.paladino@csuohio.edu.