Reading
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Are Our Classroom Devices Helping Students Learn?
It’s hard to read stories like this one from Thursday’s Wall Street Journal and not feel a mix of concern – and responsibility. A recent report on the role of YouTube in schools highlights something many families and educators are noticing: students spending large parts of the school day on screens – sometimes learning, and…
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Stronger Outcomes, Shared Responsibility: A Look at Reading & Math Strategies
Grateful for this week’s Curriculum Committee discussion for sharing a clearer “how” behind Goal 1 (math and reading) of our 2030 Vision*. As a school board member, my focus is on our mission/vision/values (our “why”) and our outcomes (our “what” and “how well”) – including improving our reading and math outcomes for all students and,…
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April’s Newsletter
April’s newsletter is out: • A new chapter in early literacy – raising outcomes and closing opportunity gaps • Parker’s Story – Finding her voice at Central High School • Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Creativity, Opportunity, and Pathways for All • School board meeting agenda highlights • Where are our future surgical techs? • Back to…
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Back to Basics: Why One Northern Michigan School Hit Pause on Screens
Mesick Consolidated Schools—just down the road from us—are trying something bold to support early literacy: they’ve removed Chromebooks and iPads from their elementary classrooms and are going “back to basics” with books, handwriting, and face-to-face learning. Why? Their leaders are being honest about where things stand. When too many students are not yet reading proficiently,…
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From Steadying the Ship to Full Speed Ahead: A New Vision for Early Literacy at TCAPS
Our most recent third-grade reading outcomes certainly make clear the work ahead: • All third graders: 49% proficient • Economically disadvantaged third graders: 38% • Not economically disadvantaged third graders: 53% These numbers show why it’s time to move from steadying the ship to full speed ahead. That’s why, for the first time, our district’s…
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Growing Readers Together: TCAPS and the Traverse Area District Library
Strong readers grow in strong communities. One of the most powerful literacy partnerships we have is with the Traverse Area District Library. During Reading Month, their youth services team works closely with our eleven elementary schools to create meaningful reading experiences for our students. This year, first graders are participating in library orientations, storytime, tours,…
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Partnership Schools: Surrounding TCAPS Students with Support
At our recent Curriculum Committee meeting*, we learned about the “Partnership School” model and explored ways in which trained and vetted community members could provide additional academic tutoring in reading and math—especially for students who need extra practice to build literacy and numeracy fluency. This isn’t about replacing teachers – it’s about surrounding students with…
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March’s Newsletter
March’s newsletter is out: – Reading month, literacy, opportunity gaps, and a community promise – A turning point: Enrollment is not down for the first time in six years – Curriculum Committee Snapshot: Parent engagement – School board meeting agenda highlights – Mr. Kay goes to the State of the State in Lansing – Compass…
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Early literacy isn’t just a school issue — it’s a community promise
This powerful op-ed applauds TCAPS for embracing the science of reading — and reminds us that the foundation for success is laid long before kindergarten. With fewer than 50%* of our third graders reading proficiently, and only about half of our children entering school ready to learn, this is exactly why our new 5-year 2030…
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January Newsletter
My January newsletter is out: • One year in reflection: Lots to learn, pumped to keep learning • Mental health and safety funding • A new series: Curriculum Committee Snapshot • Every Student. Every Word. Every Future: Embracing the Science of Reading story by the Traverse City Record-Eagle • National Advocacy Institute prep series with…
TY FOR TCAPS 