The full Georgia Council on Literacy met Aug. 26 at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. Georgia College president Kathy Cox welcomed the council and guests, and Literacy Council Chair Scott Johnson facilitated the introduction of council members.
The full meeting agenda is linked below.
Georgia Reads Day Sept. 30 |
 Gov. Brian P. Kemp has proclaimed Sept. 30 Georgia Reads Day. Georgians are encouraged to read to children, share important literacy data with their networks, embrace the science of reading, and help amplify Georgia Reads messages. At 10 a.m. Sept. 30, educators, students, and families can tune in to Georgia Public Broadcasting for a live reading rally from the Georgia Football Hall of Fame with Georgia Reads Coach, Malcolm Mitchell. |
GOSA Highlights Statewide Literacy Data
Monica Flamini and Shuyang Wang from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) presented statewide literacy data.
Superintendents on Successes and Challenges: Poverty, Literacy Coaches, & Teacher Burnout
Dana Rickman from the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education facilitated a panel with Bubba Longgrear, superintendent, Candler County Schools; Noris Price, superintendent, Baldwin County Schools; and Yancy Ford, superintendent, Effingham County Schools.
The superintendents shared student demographic data and described literacy strategies, including interventions with younger students and Orton Gillingham educator training. Pointing to increasing reading proficiency scores, the district leaders described push-in, pull-out, and other struggling reader remediation strategies, including wraparound support of low-income students. Superintendent Price mentioned that Baldwin schools provides breakfast and lunch and sometimes provides dinner. The district has a clothes closet, provides a clothes-washing facility to parents, and has a school-based health clinic.
When asked about implementation of the Georgia Early Literacy Act, HB 538, the superintendents welcomed accountability and focus on reading. One stressed his district's focus on additional professional learning.
Superintendent Price emphasized the need for literacy coaches in every school.
Another superintendent stressed the importance of screeners and mentioned that Milestones results should not be surprising if screeners administered earlier in the school year identify student reading challenges.
The district leaders stressed the engagement of teachers in literacy solutions. One mentioned the importance of teacher pay and described challenges in finding middle and high school math and science teachers. Another emphasized that districts must clearly define what teachers need to do in order to be successful. Price expressed appreciation for teachers on the Literacy Council and their input on professional learning and literacy screeners. She reported that her district has used the GaDOE’s Teacher Burnout Report to identify reasons for burnout and implement recommendations. She also mentioned the importance of high quality professional learning for teachers including LETRS and Orton Gillingham.
Updates on 538 Implementation, Coaches, Screeners & More
Amy Denty, literacy director at GaDOE, reported a successful first meeting of the literacy screener advisory group. The group will help narrow the list of approved screeners to no more than five. She emphasized that literacy efforts place a lot on teachers' plates, and it is important for leaders to support them.
Denty and a GaDOE colleague provided a status update on 60 federally funded literacy coaches, and several RESA directors provided a regional literacy coach update.
 | Next MeetingsThe Birth-5 Working Group will next meet Oct. 21. The full Council on Literacy has a meeting planned for Nov. 19 at Lanier Technical College. |