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Early Literacy - September 9, 2022

Early Literacy - September 9, 2022

Early literacy is one of the Palo Alto Unified School District's (PAUSD) five priority goals. The District set goals last year to improve reading levels, with a focus on student populations who have traditionally struggled. We used the 2018-19 results (post pandemic) as a baseline. The results below give us reasons for optimism. Despite coming off closures and piloting three new curriculums in some classes, students made significant growth. In some cases, the growth was unprecedented. Thank you to our educators for focusing intensely on the goal of early literacy. The days ahead are bright for our students!

BACKGROUND

On May 25, 2021, staff presented the Every Student Reads Initiative (ESRI) plan with two proposed progress indicators (PI), PI 1 and PI 2. The Board requested a PI 3 to be added, showing Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and English Language Arts (ELA) results, with yearly progress composite scores as a PI.

On June 8, 2021, the three PIs were shared with and approved by the Board, including the suggested changes: SBAC and ELA as a PI, and adding the students with disabilities group, to each PI.

PROGRESS INDICATOR 1 (PI 1)

Beginning with the 2021-22 SBAC administration, PAUSD's grade 3 socioeconomically disadvantaged (SED), historically underrepresented (HUR), English Learners (EL), and the students with disabilities groups will show a 3% increase in the percentage of students scoring "Near or Above Standard" in reading at the end of 2021-22, a 4% increase at the end of 2022-23, and a 5% increase at the end of 2023-24.

PROGRESS INDICATOR 2 (PI 2)

Beginning with the 2021-22 SBAC administration, PAUSD's grade 3 SED, HUR, EL, and students with disabilities group will show a 3% increase in the percentage of students scoring "At or Above Standard" in ELA at the end of 2021-22, a 4% increase at the end of 2022-23, and a 5% increase at the end of 2023-24.

PROGRESS INDICATOR 3 (PI 3)

Beginning with the 2021-22 Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) administration, K-5th grade Hispanic, African American, Pacific Islander and students with disabilities groups will show a 5% increase in students meeting or exceeding end-of-year benchmarks in reading each year for the next three years.

On June 21, 2022, staff presented BAS results and the PI 3 update to the Board for the 2021-22 school year.

This is a celebration of the ESRI's accomplishments during the first year of implementation and the results of PI 1 and PI 2.

PI 1 & 2 UPDATE - BASELINE & YEAR 1 OUTCOMES

All student groups met PI 1, an increase of 3% of grade 3 students who performed "Near or Above Standard." A new student group, SED Hispanic or Latino, has been included.

Three student groups exceeded PI 2, an increase of 3% of grade 3 students who performed at "Met or Exceeded Standard." A new student group, SED Hispanic or Latino, has been included.

Reading growth for English learners and students with disabilities is anticipated by implementing the iReady diagnostic reading assessment and classroom teacher instruction in Benchmark Advance/Adelante. English Learner Specialists and Education Specialists have Benchmark Advance programs that align with grade level reading lessons creating a seamless instructional model to address the unique needs of these student groups.