Kent County Public Schools' data analysis shows the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 learning has been significant.
As a result, funding is provided to offer additional small group and individualized tutoring sessions to students to fill in the gaps in critical reading skills and math concepts.
The reading and mathematics tutoring programs started in the summer of 2021 and will continue throughout the school year, supporting 80 to 100% of KCPS students.
Reading Overview
Literacy begins with a thorough grounding in foundational reading skills.
KCPS early childhood educators have built a deeper understanding of word recognition strands of phonological awareness, decoding, and sight word instruction through Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training.
Building the instructional capacity of all teachers and administrators is a priority for any grant funding. Teaching reading requires a deep understanding of the science behind what we do and how foundational skills lead to comprehension.
Combining the work of literacy experts with research on social emotional learning, KCPS adopted Wonders as the core reading program for all K-5 students.
McGraw-Hill Education's Wonders program is supported by Tier III promising evidence under ESSA guidelines based on analysis of the results of scientific studies in multiple settings.
Beginning fall 2020, KCPS purchased a districtwide license so all students would have access in school and at home to the Lexia literacy platform.
From acceleration, to intervention, to English language development and professional learning, Lexia Core5 Reading is used to meet the structured literacy needs of our students and staff. The ongoing training modules give teachers the background and depth of knowledge and tools to effectively instruct a wide range of learners.
This adaptive program accelerates the development of literacy skills by making that shift from learning to read to reading to learn.
Teachers noted that Lexia provides differentiated literacy instruction for students of all abilities and increases the number of students performing on or above grade-level on our local universal screener Measures of Academic Progress (MAP).
This school year, KCPS implemented a universal screener for K-3 using MAP Reading Fluency, which is an online adaptive reading assessment that measures oral reading fluency and foundational skills. Assessment results help identify students for intervention and further instructional support.
Ongoing assessment literacy with MAP Reading Fluency will continue to be held to support data analysis and planning.
Students who need further support with foundational skills will use Lexia Core5 Reading as described above or another research-based tutoring program.
MAP Reading Fluency is the foundational skills screener used to determine if students in primary grades are at risk for reading difficulties.
MAP Fluency was administered tri-annually. K-3 students identified as at risk will receive Lexia Core5 as an intervention and most will receive in-person interventions.
This tool is an adaptive online program that accelerates the development of literacy skills.
The teacher training for Lexia Core5 was held in October and November 2021 and implementation began that December.
Mathematics Overview
Building a mathematical foundation that is rooted in conceptual understanding is key for student success.
KCPS adopted the Illustrative Mathematics Curriculum for grades K-5. Illustrative Mathematics is a problem-based core curriculum designed to address content and practice standards to foster learning for all.
Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real-world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language.
Teachers can shift their instruction and facilitate student learning with high-leverage routines to guide learners to understand and make connections between concepts and procedures.
Intervention and Enrichment
One hundred percent of students are receiving some type of personalized learning during their Intervention and Enrichment (Academy) time at the elementary level. This includes small group instruction based on formative classroom assessments, Lexia, Dreambox, Imagine Suite, Wonderworks and others.
• Sound Partners (Galena Elementary School, H.H. Garnet Elementary School, and Rock Hall Elementary School)
Who: Grades K-3 students
What: Phonics/Foundational Skills
When: 30 minutes/four to five days a week
How: One on one with an ELI tutor
Criteria
Entry: Teacher recommendation, screener, MAP data
Exit: Successfully completing mastery tests after 10 lessons
• Fundations (GALES, HHGES, and RHES)
Who: Grades K-3 students
What: Phonics/Foundational Skills
When: 30 minutes/four to five days a week
How: One on one or small group with a tutor
Criteria
Entry: Teacher recommendation, screener, MAP data
Exit: Complete the program through successfully completing unit assessments
• Just Words (HHGES)
Who: Grades 3-4 students
What: Highly explicit, multisensory decoding and spelling program
When: 30 minutes/four days a week
How: Small group with a tutor
Criteria
Entry: Teacher recommendation, screener, MAP data
Exit: No success criteria has been established due to the sequential nature of the program. Students need the full program to close gaps.
• Do the Math (RHES)
Who: Grades K-3 students
What: Number Core (composing and decomposing numbers up to 20); Addition and Subtraction Book A (sums up to 100); Addition and Subtraction Book B (subtraction up to 100); Addition and Subtraction Book C (numbers greater than 100)
When: 30 minutes/five days a week/every other week
How: Small group with a tutor or a classroom teacher
Criteria
Entry: Teacher recommendation, MAP data, pre-test per book
Exit: Complete the mastery lessons
• WonderWorks (GALES, HHGES, and RHES)
Who: Grades 1-5 students
What: Phonics/Foundational or Comprehension Skills
When: 15-30 minutes (varies by delivery model)/four to five days a week
How: One on one or small group with a tutor or a classroom teacher
Criteria
Entry: Teacher recommendation, screener, MAP data
Exit: WonderWorks summative assessments and Edulastic assessments
• 95% Group (HHGES)
Who: Grades 3-5 students
What: Comprehension skills
When: 30 minutes/four days a week
How: Small group with a tutor
Criteria
Entry: Teacher recommendation, screener, MAP data
Exit: Running record, demonstrated mastery of comprehension skills
Evidence of success: Mid-year MAP scores for students placed in interventions are consistently showing growth!
Learn More
Reading Supports
Mathematics Supports