Literacy

KASD’s literacy program is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that builds strong early literacy foundations, supports all learners through an equitable multi-level system, and emphasizes collaboration, coaching, and continuous improvement. It is driven by strategic data use and collective educator efficacy to ensure every student develops the skills needed for lifelong literacy success.

Hallmarks KASD’s Literacy Program:

Evidence-Based Instruction: High-quality instruction begins at the Tier 1 universal level. It includes explicit, evidence-based literacy practices and gradually releases responsibility to students to promote active participation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Strong Early Literacy Foundation: Early literacy instruction emphasizes systematic and explicit teaching of foundational skills—phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics, background knowledge, oral language, vocabulary, writing, comprehension, and fluency.

Disciplinary Literacy: Disciplinary literacy instruction supports content-specific reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking aligned to college and career expectations.

Equitable Multilevel System of Support: The EMLSS framework ensures all students receive the right supports based on their needs, through a continuum of responsive interventions, practices, and resources.

Strategic Use of Data: Strategic use of data guides instruction, supports program evaluation, and matches students to appropriate supports. Data is used to identify needs, monitor progress, and make informed decisions that support student growth.

Collaboration: Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Grade-level, department, and school teams meet in professional learning communities to learn, reflect, plan, and problem-solve together to improve student outcomes.

Collective Efficacy: A shared belief in our ability to impact learning is woven into our framework. Teachers experience collective efficacy through peer observations, coaching, learning walks, demonstration lessons, and shared successes.

Instructional Coaching: Coaching is student-centered and uses a gradual release model to help teachers build efficacy and deepen reflective practice, all with the ultimate goal of improving student achievement. Coaches facilitate professional learning, support collaborative teams, and foster opportunities for collective growth.

Continuous Improvement: Literacy is a core focus of the Learning and Academic portion of KASD’s Continuous Improvement Plan. Progress is measured through key indicators: State Report Card, ACT Composite, iReady Reading Growth, and Foundational Skills.