August 14, 2014
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi’s youngest school children are starting a new academic year with classes that provide a greater emphasis on literacy.
The focus on literacy is part of the Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act, which will help ensure that every student completing 3rd grade reads at or above grade level.
“The ability to read is a gateway to success in academics and life,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “The statewide focus on early literacy – from Pre-K through the 3rd grade – will help Mississippi children build the foundational skills they will need throughout their education.”
The Literacy-Based Promotion Act focuses on prevention and intervention to help children develop the reading skills required for 4th grade. To identify reading problems early, teachers will now assess the literacy skills of students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade at the beginning and end of the school year. Students who need help will be provided with intensive reading instruction, and their families will be given tips to help at home. Students who do not read on grade level by the end of 3rd grade or do not qualify for a Good Cause Exemption will not be promoted to 4th grade.
To help equip schools for the expanded focus on literacy, the Mississippi Department of Education has been training educators throughout the state. To date, approximately 4,000 teachers and 600 principals have been trained in the science of reading and research-based teaching strategies with Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). The MDE also has deployed 41 school-based literacy coaches to 67 Target Schools and 39 districts across the state to support their literacy efforts.
“In 3rd grade, students begin to make the transition from learning to read to reading to learn,” said Dr. Kymyona Burk, K-3 Literacy Coordinator. “Students need strong reading skills in order to learn other school subjects, such as science, history, writing and even math.”
Families will be key part of children’s success, Wright said.
“Nothing is more important for children’s literacy development than the support they receive from their families,” Wright said. “Parents and guardians are children’s first and most important teachers.”
To learn more about the Mississippi Literacy-Based Promotion Act, visit www.mde.k12.ms.us/literacy.
Literacy Coaches have been assigned to work in the following Target Schools:
A.W. James Elementary School (K-5)
Aberdeen Elementary School (K-2)
Amite County Elementary School (K-6)
Ashland Elementary School (K-5)
Barr Elementary School (K-5)
Byhalia Elementary School (K-5)
Belle Elementary School (3-5)
Bogue Chitto School (K-12)
Brooks Elementary School (K-4)
Brown Elementary School (K-5)
Burney Elementary School (K-6)
Canton Elementary School (3-5)
Carver Elementary School (3-5)
Clausell Elementary School (K-5)
Collins Elementary School (K-4)
Crenshaw Elementary School (K-5)
Crestwood Elementary School (K-5)
Cypress Park Elementary School (3-5)
Dawson Elementary School (K-5)
Dexter Attendance Center (K-12)
Durant Public School (K-12)
Earl Travillion Attendance Center (K-6)
East Kemper Attendance Center (K-6)
East Sunflower Elementary School (K-6)
Friars Point Elementary School (K-6)
George H. Oliver Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School (K-5)
Goodman-Pickens Elementary School (K-6)
Green Elementary School (K-5)
Hawkins Elementary School (K-6)
Hazlehurst PK-8 School (K-8)
Hopewell Elementary School (K-6)
Isable Elementary School (K-5)
J.E. Johnson Elementary School (K-6)
James C. Rosser Elementary School (K-5)
Key Elementary School (K-5)
Lee Elementary School (K-5)
Leflore County Elementary School (K-6)
Linwood Elementary School (K-6)
Lockard Elementary School (K-2)
McCoy Elementary School (2-5)
McNeal Elementary School (K-2)
Mount Olive Attendance Center (K-12)
Nailor Elementary School (K-2)
New Augusta Elementary School (K-8)
Oak Park Elementary School (K-5)
Okolona Elementary School (K-6)
Osyka Elementary School (K-5)
Parkview Elementary School (K-5)
Pearman Elementary School (K-5)
Raines Elementary School (K-5)
Ray Brooks Elementary School (K-4)
Robinsonville Elementary School (K-5)
Ruleville Central Elementary School (K-5)
Sand Hill Elementary School (K-8)
Sherman Avenue Elementary School (K-3)
Susie B. West Elementary School (K-5)
T.J. Harris Elementary School (3-5)
Thrasher School (K-12)
Tunica Elementary School (K-5)
Tylertown Elementary School (3-4)
Tylertown Primary School (K-2)
W.C. Williams Elementary School (K-6)
Warren Central Intermediate School (3-5)
Webster Street Elementary School (PK-1)
West Hills Elementary School (K-5)
Wilkins Elementary School (K-5)
Woodville Heights Elementary School (K-5)
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519